Celtics, Lakers can get it done

LOS ANGELES, May 14 (UPI) -- The two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers may prefer the road, but they have a chance to clinch their NBA Western Conference semifinal series at home Tuesday night in Game Five against the San Antonio Spurs.

So, too, the Boston Celtics, who can win their Eastern Conference semifinal series when they visit Detroit. If they get a victory over the homestanding Pistons in Game Five, that series is over as well.

With Shaquille O'Neal bothered by a troublesome toe injury, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to back-to-back wins in San Antonio over the weekend and a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Bryant had 11 points in the fourth quarter of last Friday's 99-89 victory, and 12 of his 28 in the final period, including, the winning basket with five seconds left, in Sunday's 87-85

win.

While Bryant carried the Lakers down the stretch, the Spurs collapsed, missing 15 of 18 shots in the fourth quarter on Sunday, including their last nine.

Despite being limited by the toe injury, O'Neal played 40 minutes and had 22 points and 11 rebounds.

If the Spurs win on Tuesday, Game Six is scheduled for Thursday at San Antonio. The winner will play the Sacramento Kings, who beat the Dallas Mavericks, 114-101, Monday to win that series, 4-1.

The Celtics can return to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1988 with a win at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Celtics have won three in a row since losing the series opener.

"We feel like we can close this series out (on Tuesday)," said All-Star guard Paul Pierce. "If we keep going like we have, I don't think there's a team in the NBA that can beat us."

On Wednesday, the New Jersey Nets will try to end their Eastern Conference series against the Charlotte Hornets in five games.