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Los Angeles Lakers: Pau Gasol’s 5 best playoff games as a Laker

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a rebound in front of Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a rebound in front of Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals vs. Boston Celtics

The 2010 NBA Finals is one of, if not the, most important NBA Finals in Los Angeles Lakers history. Not only did it give Kobe Bryant his fifth championship to officially get an edge up over Shaquille O’Neal, but it gave the Lakers revenge over the rivaled Boston Celtics for the 2008 NBA Finals.

It is one of the most iconic games in Lakers’ history and certainly is one of the most nerve-wracking. And if we are being completely honest, unless you love low-scoring basketball, was one of the ugliest Game 7s in recent NBA history.

It was a gritty game where both teams were locking each other up and feeling the pressure. The Lakers were down 13 with eight minutes left in the third quarter, which seemed like a massive gap to overcome in such a low-scoring game. The team rallied from behind to get the late win. It was an ugly win, but a win nonetheless.

This game ranks 30th in Gasol’s career in Game Score but it does not matter. It was the most important game of Gasol’s entire career and he delivered, scoring 19 points with 18 rebounds (nine offensive!).

Gasol may have been cold for most of the game but he turned it on when it mattered most. He ended up scoring nine points in the final quarter of action. From the 4:37 mark of the fourth quarter to the 1:30 mark, Gasol scored seven of the Lakers’ eight points to keep the team ahead of the Celtics.

If Gasol misses his free throws in that situation then the Celtics would still have lone possession for the most titles in the NBA and Gasol may have never gotten his number retired as a Laker.

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

While he was a Laker for a few more seasons after this, it was the crowning moment of Pau Gasol’s Los Angeles Lakers career.

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