Celtics rout Lakers to claim 17th championship (Reuters)
The Game Six win clinched the first championship for the Celtics since the Larry Bird series 22 years ago. Hundreds of Celtics fans jammed the street on the surface Boston Garden to celebrate, some smashing storefront windows before dozens of police in riot gear dispersed the crowd.
Playing in the shadow of 16 championship banners hanging from the rafters, Boston took control of the game in the second quarter and stretched a four-point lead into a 58-35 superior situation by the intermission.
The Lakers never got closer than 23 points after halftime.
"We challenged them before the fearless, for one time, let's play 48 minutes of defense, regular all-out, denials, challenge shots," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers.
"Tonight we once for all lay it simultaneously on the perfect night to do it, offensively and defensively.
"It was just perfect."
Off-season acquisitions Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen each had 26 points to leadership the Celtics, Allen hitting seven-of-nine from three-point range. Paul Pierce had 17 points for the Celtics and was named the MVP of the championship series.
"I'm not living under the shadows of the other greats now," said Pierce, who averaged 21.8 points over the six games and showered Rivers with Gatorade in the dauntless's final moments. "I'm able to make my own history with my time here.
"If I was going to be one of the best Celtics to ever play, I had to steer up a banner. And today we did that."
'WHERES KOBE?'
A insane green and white-clad crowd at the Garden roared in unison "Beat L.A." and "Where's Kobe?' from the opening tip till the conclusive buzzer.
Lakers watchman Kobe Bryant opened by haste but fizzled. The confederate MVP had 11 points after the opening be stationed still only three free throws in the stand by when the Celtics took rule.
He finished with 22 points but hit solely seven of 22 shots and committed four turnovers in the rout.
"I'm startle more than anything, frustrated," said Bryant. "But I'm proud. I'm proud of the way we performed all year."
The Celtics, with Hall of Famers Bill Russell and John Havlicek looking on, foiled the Lakers' double-team on Pierce by finding the open man together the perimeter for the shot.
The Celtics' defense did its part, shutting down the Lakers' vaunted offense for much of the game and forcing 19 turnovers. The Celtics committed only seven.
Boston built an 89-60 lead by the start of the fourth quarter to clown the raucous crowd in a some one temper.
The Celtics, who celebrated their last title in 1986 when Bird was the MVP, outrebounded the Lakers at both ends of the floor.
"Everybody is disappointed that we didn't make a game out of this, accord. ourselves a chance," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who distracted his bid with regard to a 10th designate. "They took us out of what we probably to do."
At the close of the game, Garnett, who spent 12 seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves without contending for a title, hugged Russell, who won 11 championships during his 13-year career in Boston.
"I got my own, I got my own," he said in Russell's ear.
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
