LOS ANGELES-For the second consecutive game in the NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers were in dire straits, playing a solid 4th Quarter after dabbling in Russian Roulette with an ineffective third period. Nevertheless, this time around, with thousands of Angelinos cheering them on, Kobe Bryant and Sasha Vujacic refused to let the Lakers fall into a 3-0 abyss. Bryant amassed 36 points and seven rebounds, and the Slovenia-born Vujacic had 20 points in 28 minutes as Los Angeles pulled out an 87-81 win in Game 3 of the NBA Finals Tuesday at Staples Center. Vujacic, who has dubbed himself the “Machine,” was definitely workmanlike as he nailed three crucial 3-pointers, including one in the fourth quarter which gave the Lakers an 81-76 lead which proved insurmountable for Boston. Although Los Angeles seemed to be in good shape after building a 43-37 advantage at halftime, the Celtics responded with a 25-17 surge in the third to make the sellout crowd squirm a little as they held a 62-60 lead heading into the last stanza. However, a lack of production from their “big three,” of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen with the exception of Allen (who amassed a team-high 25 points for Boston), doomed the Celtics down the stretch. Garnett and Pierce combined for a paltry 19 points, while shooting a combined 8-35 from the field. Despite their struggles, Boston coach Doc Rivers was upbeat after the game as he told the team that they were still better than the Lakers and could clinch the series in Los Angeles if they keep their heads up. If the Celtics are to do that, they’ll need to win both Games 4 and 5 which will both be at the Staples Center. Game 4 will take place Thursday evening.