When Kobe Bryant played the Celtics, the Laker always seemed to bring his A-game. Bryant and the Celtics’ “Big 3” brought the Boston-LA rivalry back to the forefront of the NBA landscape, and they had more than their fair share of memorable clashes. Bryant will retire at the end of the season and makes his final trip to Boston on Wednesday when the Celtics and Lakers play at 7:30 p.m.

Here are five of his most memorable performances against the Celtics:

5. Kobe drops 43

Jan. 31, 2007

Bryant scored 43 points as he led the Lakers to a 111-98 victory at the Garden. The guard was lights out from beyond the arc, knocking down 7 of 9 three-pointers, and his 43 points tied a career-high against the Celtics.

4. Bryant BEATS buzzer … Or does he?

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Feb. 19, 2002

In a back-and-forth clash at the Staples Center, Antoine Walker hit a go-ahead field goal with 1.2 seconds left to give the Celtics a 109-108 lead. On the ensuing possession, Bryant hit a dagger that appeared to give the Lakers the win, but it was waved off when the officials deemed that he didn’t get the shot off in time. The Los Angeles crowd was irate as the Celtics escaped with a one-point win.

3. Bryant takes control

Jun. 10, 2008: Game 3

Trailing the 2008 finals 2-0, the Lakers needed a big game out of their superstar, and he delivered. Bryant hit on 12 of 20 from the field for a series-high 36 points, and also corralled seven rebounds. With an 87-81 victory, the Lakers climbed back into the series.

2. Kobe keeps Lakers alive

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June 15, 2010: Game 6

The Lakers had their backs against the wall in Game 6 of the 2010 finals, as the Celtics came to L.A. with a 3-2 lead. Bryant kept his team alive, leading all scorers with 26 points. He reeled in 11 rebounds and four steals, and was in control all evening as the Lakers won, 89-67.

1. Bryant wins No. 5

June 17, 2010: Game 7

After a slow start to Game 7, Bryant earned the NBA Finals MVP in crunch time. He dropped 10 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, propelling the Lakers to an 83-79 victory and ruining the Celtics’ hopes of winning their second title in three years. Earlier this year, Bryant was asked which of his five championships was the most meaningful. “When we beat Boston in 2010,” he replied. “For me that’s No. 1 with a bullet.”


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