The Boston Celtics treated their hometown fans to a 98-88 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers tonight in Game 1 of the NBA finals, the Boston Globe reports. Kevin Garnett (24 points) and Paul Pierce (22) led the Celtics, while Kobe Bryant had 24 for LA. Pierce went down hard in the third quarter and was carried to the locker room, but he returned quickly to a thunderous ovation. The Lakers, who led by 5 at the half, will try to even things up Sunday night in Boston. (More Los Angeles Lakers stories.)