A seven minute scoring burst by John Havlicke and Don Nelson in the third period broke open the game for the Boston Celtics who defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 112-104, last night at the Garden.
Playing their home opener before a record crowd of 15.316, the Celtics outscored the Lakers, 25-10, in the last seven minutes of the first half and held a 61-40 lead at intermission. Nelson pumped in ten points and Havlicek eight in the scoring spree.
Jerry West of the Lakers, held to only our points through the first three quarters, found the range in the final period and popped in 17 points to spark a brief rally by the visitors who pulled to within three points 90-87.
A three-point play by Havlicek and a field goal by Dave Cowens moved the game of danger for the Celtics.
The Celtics displayed power on the boards with Cowens grabbing 24 rebounds, Nelson ten and Paul Silas nine. Boston also used the fast break to keep the Lakers off balance.
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