The Los Angeles Lakers weathered a pair of storms in Game Five against the Boston Celtics on Sunday night, 103-98, to send the NBA Finals back to Boston.

Kobe Bryant struggled after a fifteen-point first quarter, notching 25 points and 7 rebounds in the win. He was almost non-existent in the second and third periods, putting up just three points in the stretch as Boston charged back.

The Lakers built a nineteen-point lead very early in the second quarter, but even with Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett spending a majority of the period on the bench, the Celtics charged back to trim L.A.?s lead to just three heading into halftime.

The Celtics then quickly grabbed a two-point edge in the third quarter, but Kobe?s supporting cast came through to fight back as the Lakers took a fourteen-point edge early in the fourth.

Boston rallied once again as the game remained close down the stretch.

With less than a minute remaining and the Lakers up by two, Bryant poked the ball away from Pierce and streaked towards the basket as Lamar Odom collected the loose ball and fired it Kobe?s way. Bryant dunked the ball to give L.A. a four-point edge with 33 seconds left, and they never looked back.

Odom posted 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Pau Gasol tallied 19 points, 13 boards, and 5 assists in the win, as they kept the Celtics from celebrating on their home floor and earned themselves a trip back to Boston.

Pierce almost willed the Celtics to victory with 38 points, 8 assists, and 6 boards in the loss. He fouled out with a few seconds left in the game, earning his first rest of the night as he played almost the entire contest.

Kevin Garnett had 13 points and 14 rebounds but missed a key pair of free throws down the stretch that allowed the Lakers to hold onto a rather small lead.

Eddie House made a three-pointer with fourteen seconds left to bring Boston within three, but L.A. corralled a loose ball on the inbounds pass, and Derek Fisher canned a pair of foul shots to secure the win.

Game Six will be Tuesday night in Boston where the Celtics still have two chances to win the NBA Title.