The Boston Celtics have captured a record 17th National Basketball
Association championship by defeating the visiting Los Angeles Lakers,
131-92. The Celtics won the best-of-seven series, 4-2 - 22 years after
their last title.
With the first burst of points Tuesday, Boston
kept pressing ahead of the Lakers with a strong offense and stifling
defense. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen each scored a game-high 26 points
in a balanced attack. NBA MVP Kobe Bryant led the losing effort by Los
Angeles with 22 points.
Paul Pierce, who averaged nearly 22 points per game, was named the series most valuable player.
The turnaround for Boston this season was dramatic, after posting the worst record in the Eastern Conference just last year.
The
Lakers were trying to become the first team in NBA history to come back
from a 3-1 deficit and win the title. But Boston has finished with a
13-1 record at home during the postseason to give the Celtics a new NBA
record for the most home wins in the postseason.
Boston has played 26 times in the playoffs, setting a new record for the most games played in the postseason.
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