NBA: LA Lakers 92, Boston 83

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Pao Gasol scored nine fourth-period points Thursday when the LA Lakers topped Boston, 92-83, ending the Celtics' 19-game winning streak.

The 7-foot center also blocked three-point attempts by Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in the game's closing 76 seconds.

Kobe Bryant's 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists led LA's (24-5) effort. Gasol totaled 20 points, three assists, five rebounds and three blocks, while Sasha Vujacic and Lamar Odom added 10 points apiece in Lakers' first game against the Celtics since their 39-point loss in the seventh game of last season's NBA Finals.

Kevin Garnett sank 11-of-14 field goal attempts and led Boston (27-3) with 22 points and nine rebounds.

Pierce scored 20 with 10 rebounds and three assists, while Ray Allen added 14 points in the Celtics' first loss since a 94-85 defeat Nov. 14 against Denver.

Their winning streak had equaled the fourth-longest in NBA history.