NBA Finals - Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers GAME 7
(18 June 2010/12:01 PM)
2010 NBA Finals
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers - GAME 7
Lakers gutted out an 83-79 victory over the Celtics Thursday in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to win back-to-back championships and notch the franchise's 16th title, one shy of tying arch-rival Boston. "Well, it's done," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who won his 11th title. "It wasn't well done, but it was done.
"And we did it with perseverance."
The Lakers have now won their fifth championship in 11 years. Next season they will look to be the first team to 3-peat since they accomplished that feat from 2000-02.
Kobe going for a jumper over Allen
Kobe Bryant pulls up for jumper while Paul Pierce tries to defend him.
Kobe Bryant picks himself up off the court during Game 7.
Bryant was named the Finals MVP for the second straight season. Despite struggling in the series finale, he came through when it counted the most. Bryant scored 10 of his game-high 23 points in the final period, which included 8-for-9 from the free-throw line. He also had 15 rebounds.
After the game, Bryant admitted to having pressed too much as he struggled from the field, shooting a postseason-worst 6-for-24 from the field.
"I wanted it so, so bad," said Bryant, who now joins Laker great Magic Johnson with his fifth ring. "The more I tried to push, the more it kept getting away from me. I'm just glad that my teammates really got us back in the game."
When asked what this championship meant individually, Bryant had some fun.
With Bryant struggling, it was the other Lakers who pulled through.
Pau Gasol finished with 19 points and 18 rebounds..
while Artest came up big with 20 points and five steals and Derek Fisher added 10.
Ron Artest tries to box out Paul Pierce as both wait to fight for the rebound.
Artest quite possibly played his best game as a Laker. During one stretch in the second quarter, he scored 10 of his team's 13 points. He had several key defensive stops as well.
"Ron Artest was the most valuable player tonight," Jackson said. "He brought life to our team, he brought life to the crowd."
When the Lakers were receiving their 2009 championship rings during the season opener, Artest sat alone in the locker room. Now he has one of his own.
"Unbelievable. Unbelievable," said Artest as he took a swig of champagne. "When we won, I didn't know we won.
"I cried earlier before the game. How stupid was that? And then when you win you don't cry. How dumb is that?"
Kevin Garnett wins the jump ball against Pau Gasol in the first quarter.
Following the loss, the Celtics were emotional.
"Well there's a lot of crying in our locker room, a lot of people who care," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "I don't think there was a dry eye. A lot of hugs, a lot of people feeling awful."
The loss didn't diminish what this season has meant to Rivers, however.
"It was the craziest, most emotional group I've ever coached in my life," he said. "I told them, they made me reach to places that I never thought I needed to go...so that's what makes (this loss) tough."
In the loss, five Celtics finished in double figures. Ray Allen had 13 points, 3 steals, 2 assists & 2 rebounds
while Rasheed Wallace had 11 points, 2 assists & 8 rebounds.
Rajon Rondo hustles and dives for a loose ball while Kobe Bryant also fights for the ball. Rondo had 13 points, 10 assists & 8 rebounds.
Paul Pierce and Derek Fisher hustle after a loose ball. Pierce had 18 points, 2 assists & 10 rebounds.
Glen Davis gets wrapped up by Ron Artest late in the first quarter.
Kevin Garnett does his best impression of a sky hook as he shoots over Andrew Bynum. Garnett had 17 points, 2 assists & 3 rebounds.
Rajon Rondo leads the fast break while being chased by several Lakers.
Despite a balanced attack and leading most of the game, Boston seemingly crumbled down the stretch. They were outscored 30-22 in the final period and couldn't stop the Lakers without fouling, as evidenced by LA's 16-for-21 performance from the line in the fourth quarter. "This is probably one of the hardest feelings I've felt in my lifetime," Allen said.
BOS 79 - LAL 83 Los Angeles Lakers crowned 2010 NBA Champions by winning Finals 4-3.
Following up; 2010 NBA CHAMPIONSHIPS ------ LOS ANGELES LAKERS
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