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Odom, who struggled in the first three games of the finals, came alive in this one with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. But he did most of his damage in the first half, getting all but four of his points, all but two of his rebounds and all but one of his assists.
Bryant shot 6-for-19 from the field and scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter. The other Los Angeles starters all reached double figures, but their contributions were minimal down the stretch. Bryant shot 4-of-8 and his teammates went 4-of-13 for eight points in the final period.
"We were really tentative at the end of the game with the ball in our hands," said Pau Gasol, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds. "It just didn't make things easy for ourselves."
Bryant had three points and three fouls in the first half, failing to make a field goal until the opening minute of the third quarter. The Celtics have held him to 38 field goals in 88 attempts.
"I saw three, four bodies all night," he said. "It was about making a pass and trying to get guys open opportunities."
Bryant had 10 assists, but could have had several others had his teammates not misfired time and again in the second half.
Sasha Vujacic, a hero in the Lakers' 87-81 victory in Game 3, shot 1-for-9 and had three points in Game 4. And he allowed Ray Allen to drive around him for a game-clinching layup with 16.4 seconds remaining, giving the Celtics a five-point lead.
"He went to the basket. Good basket. I don't know what to say," a downcast Vujacic said. "I kind of stepped back and gave him the room to operate and he went to the basket. It's a tough loss. It hurts. But we're not done yet."
Lakers coach Phil Jackson said his players were "very depressed" after the game.
He said he told them the series isn't over.
"They're resilient. They have disappointments, they come back," Jackson said. "It's about team effort now, we have to make sure that we have a good collective energy again, come out and play that first half like we did before.
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