LOS ANGELES, Californa—The Los Angeles Lakers displayed the toughness they lacked last season to beat the Boston Celtics 92-83 and end the NBA champions’ franchise-best 19-game winning streak on Thursday.

Pau Gasol scored seven successive points in the final three minutes and Kobe Bryant had a game-high 27 points as the Lakers (24-5) earned a measure of revenge against the Celtics.

“It was fun just because of the challenge of stopping the streak,” Bryant told reporters. “We made the right plays. They were determined not to let me beat them, and Pau (Gasol) did a great job stepping up and hitting big shots.”

Kevin Garnett recorded 22 points and nine rebounds and Paul Pierce had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who still lead the Eastern Conference with a 27-3 record.

The game was the first between the teams since the Celtics romped to a 131-92 victory in Game 6 of the finals last June to win their first championship in 22 years and league-high 17th title. The Lakers blew a 24-point second-quarter lead in Game 4 at Staples Center to fall behind 3-1—a deficit that’s never been overcome in the finals.

The victory was the 1,000th for Phil Jackson, enabling him to become the sixth NBA coach to reach that milestone. The 63-year-old Jackson has a career record of 1,000-423 in 17-plus seasons as coach of the Chicago Bulls and Lakers. He became the fastest to win 1,000 games, surpassing Pat Riley, who did it in 1,434 games.

“Here we are, a game that’s been pointed to since the schedules came out,” Jackson said beforehand.

The longtime rivals have met in the NBA finals 11 times, with the Celtics going 9-2. The Celtics entered with a 27-2 record—the fastest start by a two-loss team.

Trailing for most of the game, Boston held an 81-79 lead with four minutes remaining before the Lakers answered with clutch plays.

Gasol made a 15-foot jump shot to give Los Angeles an 83-81 lead with 2:47 remaining, and followed with two driving shots both assisted by Bryant.

The Spanish power forward then blocked a three-point attempt by Boston’s Ray Allen in the final minute.

“In the first half I thought he was thinking too much,” Bryant said of Gasol’s play.

“I had to remind him at halftime that you’re one of the best players in the world, and to go out there and play like it.”

Bryant finished 13-for-23 shooting from the field and added nine rebounds and five assists as the Lakers took a 51-45 halftime lead against the potent Celtics.

Boston has picked up where they left off last season, compiling a league-best record and the franchise’s best start.

The Western Conference-leading Lakers, however, have been boosted by the return of center Andrew Bynum, who missed the second half of last season with a knee injury and his inside presence helped against the physical Celtics.

Bynum finished with nine points and seven rebounds while Sasha Vujacic and Lamar Odom both scored 10 points off the bench for Los Angeles.

“I don’t want to hear their name whatsoever,” Vujacic said of the Celtics. “I just want to play against them. I’m speaking in the name of all the Lakers’ fans.

“We dislike them more than anything.”

Magic 88, Hornets 68

In Orlando, Florida, the Southeast Division-leading Orlando notched a sixth straight victory by thumping New Orleans.

Hedo Turkoglu scored 20 points, and Dwight Howard had 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Magic.

Hornets star Chris Paul’s NBA-record steals streak ended at 108 games.

Spurs 91, Suns 90

In Phoenix, Roger Mason hit a 3-pointer from the corner at the buzzer to give San Antonio a thrilling win over Phoenix.

It was the Spurs’ fourth straight victory.

Phoenix’s Shaquille O’Neal become the only player other than Wilt Chamberlain to miss 5,000 career free throws, while Steve Nash had eight assists to become the 13th NBA player to reach 7,000 for his career.

Cavaliers 93, Wizards 89

In Cleveland, the home team was forced to work harder than expected to see off lowly Washington and maintain its perfect home record this season.

Mo Williams had 24 points, and Cleveland needed 11 straight points in the final 1:33 to see off the Wizards, who have lost eight straight.

Reuters, AP