LOS ANGELES - Dogged by almost instant foul trouble, Kevin Garnett never did settle into Game Five last night. He still posted a decent line with 13 points and 14 rebounds, but he was clearly outplayed by Pau Gasol (19 points, 13 boards) during key stretches of the game.

"I played like garbage tonight. I can do better and I will," said Garnett. "I definitely have to do better."

Garnett was limited to 33 minutes of action. That was especially painful for the Celts because Kendrick Perkins missed the game due to his shoulder injury. Boston was out-rebounded by the Lakers, 40-37, and clearly hurt the Celtics in the lane.

Even so, the Celts had their chances in the final two minutes to grab the win and the championship but could not make the big plays. One key situation came with 2:31 left and the Celts down 95-93. Garnett went to to the foul line with a chance to tie but he missed both free throws.

"That will definitely haunt me tonight," he said. "Those are free throws I know I can hit. I’ll take them again if you put me in that situation and I’ll have the confidence to knock them down."

Garnett said he wasn’t happy that Gasol could do so much damage. The Lakers finished with 50 points in the paint to Boston’s 40.

"I’m just so upset with my play because defensively I know I’m more sound than that. I know my presence needs to be on the court for us to be a dominant team," he said.