Celtics can't close the deal in L.A.

LOS ANGELES (AP) Paul Pierce took the Boston Celtics to the brink of another improbable comeback and then let it slip out of his hands.

The All-Star scored 38 points in Game 5 of the NBA finals against Los Angeles. But twice in the final minutes, Pierce let Kobe Bryant slap the ball away as the Lakers held on to win 103-98 and send the series back to Boston.

Game 6 is Tuesday night. If the Lakers win that one, the Celtics would have another chance to close out their 17th NBA title on Thursday night. Boston is 12-and-1 at home this postseason.

Pierce, an L.A. native facing the team he followed as a kid, had 26 of his game-high 38 points in the first half. He finished with eight assists and six rebounds while playing every minute until the very end.

But with just over 3 minutes left and the Celtics trailing 94-91, Bryant slapped the ball away from Pierce to make it a two-possession game. It was 97-95 when Pierce grabbed a rebound and brought the ball across halfcourt.

Again, Bryant poked it loose to Lamar Odom, who threw it upcourt to the streaking Bryant for a clinching dunk.