2: June 17, 2010 – Lakers edge Celtics 83-79 in Game 7 of 2010 NBA Finals at STAPLES Center
After losing to the Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals, the Lakers went on to become champions and defeated the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals. The Lakers then dominated the 2009-10 NBA season and finished atop the Western Conference.
The Celtics, however, were unable to beat the Magic in the 2009 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals as Kevin Garnett was sidelined with an injury. Moreover, the team finished the 2009-10 NBA season as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Although the team did not finish as strong as before, they still managed their way to a second Lakers-Celtics finals in three years.
The rivalry was more intense than ever. There was pressure on Kobe and the Lakers to finally beat the Celtics, and there was stress on the Celtics to become champions once again. Fans were in for a thriller as the series would go seven games.
With the series tied 3-3, the Lakers and Celtics went back and forth for one of the greatest Game 7’s in NBA history. The Lakers would go on to win 83-79 and the Lakers would win their 16th NBA championship.
Kobe struggled in the game as he finished the night with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and two assists on 25 percent shooting. It did not matter though, as he won his fifth title, first against the Celtics, and it was the FIRST time the Lakers beat the Celtics in a Game 7.