LOS ANGELES -- After being out-shot from the foul line 38-10 in Game Two, Phil Jackson made it a point to call out the officials. Doc Rivers wasn’t ready to do the same last night.

The Lakers finished 21 of 34 from the line while the Celtics went 15 of 22. That’s not a monstrous difference, but was enough to sway the flow of the game.

“I’m just surprised [Jackson] didn’t whine about the fouls tonight,” Rivers said with a smile. “I told our guys, `Listen, you had a chance to win but don’t be delusional. That team attacked you, they were the aggressor. That’s why they went to the foul line. They deserved it.'”

“I told them I didn’t want to hear about Coach Jackson complaining and that’s why. No that’s not why. They played harder, they drove to the basket and they deserved to go to the foul line.”

Rivers kept looking up at the scoreboard and wondering just how his team was staying in last night’s game. Paul Pierce was missing shots and kicking the ball away. Kevin Garnett wasn’t himself either. Kobe Bryant was being Kobe Bryant, the baddest man on the planet.

“When Paul has a night like tonight and Kevin has a night like he had and it was a two- and four-point game all night,” said Rivers. “We had a chance to steal a game here where our guys were off. I thought Ray was fantastic tonight.”

Trailing by two inside three minutes, the Celtics had their chances but defensive breakdowns late cost them a chance at a 3-0 series lead.

“I liked our position. I liked our position the whole game,” said Rivers. “I thought we went to that, `I’m going to win the game for us,’ mode instead of just trusting the offense and continuing to move the ball. They made some big shots. Kobe made some big shots, bottom line.”