Boston win opens commanding lead

Boston's Paul Pierce (right) led the scoring for the Celtics with 20 points

The Boston Celtics moved to the brink of a 17th NBA title by overturning a 24-point deficit to beat Los Angeles Lakers 97-91 in game four.

The Celtics still trailed the game in Los Angeles by 20 points in the second half, making it the biggest comeback in the NBA finals since 1971.

Boston now lead the best-of-seven NBA finals series 3-1 and can wrap up the championship on Sunday in Los Angeles.

No team has managed to recover from such a deficit in NBA finals history.

Boston's Paul Pierce, who led the scoring with 20 points, said: "I don't want to get over-excited right now over one win.

"These moments are great but I'll be able to enjoy it even more once it's over. I want to go out there and try to win game five on Father's Day and then I'll be able to breathe."

Boston trailed by 24 points in the first half and by 20 midway through the third quarter, but a 21-3 scoring run trimmed the Celtics' shortfall to 73-71 entering the final period.

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"Some turnaround," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "The air went out of the building. Give them credit. Their defence was up to the task in the third quarter."

Pierce led a shared scoring attack for the Celtics with Ray Allen adding 19 points, while Posey scored 18 and Garnett 16 combined with a team-leading 11 rebounds.

The Lakers were led by Lamar Odom's 19 points, followed by Bryant and Pau Gasol with 17 apiece. Bryant had 10 assists but hit just six of 19 shots.