USA - Celtics level finals in LA with a lot of R & R.

LOS ANGELES (NBA) - At the end of a long, hard season, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo provided the Boston Celtics with a couple of dynamic performances as they beat the Los Angeles Lakers 103-94 to level the NBA Finals at 1-1.

Allen hit his first seven shots from long range on Sunday night and poured in 27 first-half points before finishing with a finals record eight three-pointers.

While Allen ended the game with 32 points, Rondo had 19 points, 10 assists, 12 rebounds, a pair of steals and a block.

Despite Allen’s brilliant start, the Celtics only led 54-48 at half-time.

A jump shot by LA’s Pau Gasol knotted the contest at 72-72 at the end of the third quarter.

Kobe Bryant (21 pts) scored midway through the fourth to give the hosts a 90-87 lead but battling Boston refused to give in.

Rondo made two straight lay-ups to spark an 11-0 run that put the Celtics in front to stay.

Boston coach Doc Rivers showered praise on his playmaker, highlighting his play on defense.

"He just did a lot of things," Rivers said, "the blocked shots, the steals - he's our quarterback, and he does a lot of stuff for us.

"He was special tonight."

Spain's 2006 FIBA World Championship MVP Gasol had 25 points and eight rebounds and also swatted six shots for LA.

Game 3 is on Tuesday in Boston.

FIBA