League MVP Kobe Bryant teed it up 26 times from the field and connected on just nine occasions. That was one of the main reasons, if not the biggest, why the Celtics won, 98-88, at TD Banknorth Garden.

While several Celtics took their cracks at Bryant, the player with the most success was Ray Allen. The two are no strangers to one another, as Allen spent a large chunk of his career battling with Bryant while he was in Seattle. Allen explained that his familiarity with Bryant certainly helped last night.

“Kobe and I have a lot of history,” said Allen. “I played against him many years. We’ve always gone at it. I think (last night) I knew he was going to attack me and I wanted to try to make sure that I just tried to stay in front of him, not foul him, put him on the foul line, and just stay solid.