2010 NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics

The 2010 NBA Finals started the 2010s the right way with one of the most intense series in NBA history. The best rivalry is sports was re-invented with the Lakers facing the Celtics. The two most storied franchises in the NBA facing off for the title of the best in the NBA.

Backstory: The Big-3 Boston Celtics won the 2008 against the Lakers, and were looking for their 2nd title. The Lakers won the title in 2009, but it didn’t mean much to them. They wanted revenge against the Boston Celtics. The Lakers made it to the Finals again, but the Celtics were in doubt of reaching the Finals again. But, they beat the 61-21 Cleveland Cavaliers with Lebron James and the Orlando Magic to reach the Finals. They were still a very deep, good team with the aspirations to beat the Lakers again. The Lakers were looking for revenge and back-to-back titles.

Game 1

The series would open in Los Angeles for Game 1 as the Lakers looked to assert their dominance from the start. The Lakers were the 12 best offense in terms of points, and the Celtics were a top-6 defense in terms of points allowed per game. So it was going to be a battle. The first quarter was tightly contested as the Lakers led 26-21 at the end of the first quarter. Kobe Bryant had 8 points for the Lakers. The 2nd quarter was again close, as the Lakers outscored Boston 24-20. The Lakers led 50-41 at halftime. Kobe Bryant had 12 points and Pau Gasol had 11 points and 7 rebounds for the Lakers. The 3rd quarter is where the Lakers separated themselves from the Celtics as they outscored them 34-23 in the 3rd. Kobe Bryant had 14 points in the 3rd quarter. The Lakers never looked back as they cruised to a 102-89 victory. Kobe Bryant had 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists to lead the way for the Lakers. Pau Gasol added 23 points and 14 rebounds with 3 blocks. Paul Pierce had 24 points and 9 rebounds for the Celtics.

The Lakers shot 48.7% from the field and 40.0% from 3. They held the Celtics to 43.3% from the field and 10% from 3. The Lakers led for 45:54 and the Celtics led for just 0:59. So, the Lakers dominated in this game.

The Lakers had a great Game 1 at home as Kobe Bryant led the way to a dominant win. The Celtics would need a Game 2 victory to stay in this series as the Lakers looked to sweep the Celtics at home.

Game 2

After a dominating Game 1, the Celtics knew what they needed to do to stay in this series. The Lakers just had to replicate what they did in Game 1 for a sweep at home and a 2-0 series lead. The Celtics jumped on the Lakers from the tip-off as they led 29-22 at the end of the first quarter. 10 points from Ray Allen highlighted the scoring for the Celtics. But the Lakers played better in the 2nd quarter as they outscored the Celtics 26-25. The Celtics led 54-48 at halftime. Ray Allen had 17 points in the 2nd quarter on 5/6 from 3, and he had 27 points in the first half while shooting 7/8 from 3. Pau Gasol had 14 points for the Lakers. The Lakers needed some-sort of comeback if they wanted to win this game, and they did just that as they outscored the Celtics 24-18 in the 3rd quarter. Pau Gasol had 10 points in the 3rd quarter for LA. The game was tied at 72 going into the 4th. Just 12 minutes to decide the winner of Game 2. The 4th quarter was not close at all as the Celtics outscored the Lakers 31-22. Rajon Rondo had 10 points in the 4th quarter, and the Celtics won Game 2 103-94. Ray Allen had 32 points on 8/11 shooting from 3. Rajon Rondo had 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists as well. Pau Gasol had 25 points and 8 rebounds with 6 blocks for LA.

The Celtics shot 11/16 from 3, which is 68.8%. The Lakers only shot 5/22 from 3, which is 22.7%. The Celtics led for 27:56.3 in this game, which was far more than they did in Game 1. The Celtics defense was much better as they held the Lakers to a 4:28.1 scoring drought at one point.

The Celtics played a much better game and were able to win Game 2 on the road, tying the series 1-1 as the two teams would now go to Boston.

Game 3

After the first two games in LA were split, Game 3 in Boston would be a pivotal one in the series for both teams. The Lakers looked to regain home-court advantage and the Celtics looked to get a 2-1 series advantage. The Lakers started off Game 3 with a 26-17 start at the end of the first quarter. Kobe Bryant had 7 points for the Lakers. The Lakers played another great quarter as they outscored Boston 26-23 in the 2nd quarter. The Lakers led 52-40 at halftime. Kobe Bryant had 16 points and 6 rebounds for LA. Kevin Garnett had 15 points and 5 rebounds for Boston. The Celtics were going to need a great 2nd half in order to win this game. They played a great 3rd quarter in which they outscored the Lakers 21-15. The Lakers led 67-61 going into the 4th quarter. The Celtics were knocking at the door of the Lakers throughout the 4th quarter as they were withing one possession for most of the 4th. Scoring became scare as the game went on, but Kobe Bryant hit a jumpshot with 1:41 left that gave the Lakers a 84-80 lead. Bryant made 2 free throws with 10 seconds left that sealed a 91-84 victory for the Lakers. Derek Fisher had 11 points in the 4th quarter for LA. Bryant led the way with 29 points and 7 rebounds with 2 steals and 3 blocks for the Lakers. Kevin Garnett had 25 points and 6 rebounds with 1 block for the Celtics.

The Lakers shot 44.7% from the field and the Celtics shot 43.8% from the field, so nobody shot particularly well. The two teams made just 6 3-pointers during the entire game. The Lakers led for 40:37. Like Game 1, the Lakers were in control for most of the way. The Lakers held the Celtics to a 3:33.1 scoring drought.

The Lakers now took a 2-1 series lead as they regained the home-court advantage. Game 4 would be in Boston and it was a must-win situation for the Celtics.

Game 4

After a great Game 3 win on the road, the Lakers looked to take a 3-1 series lead against the Celtics, and the Celtics looked to avoid that and stay in the series. The first quarter was slow for both teams as the Celtics led 19-16. Paul Pierce had 10 points to lead the Celtics. The Lakers rebounded with a strong 2nd quarter as they outscored Boston 29-23. The Lakers led 45-42 going into halftime. Pau Gasol had 13 points and 2 blocks and Kobe Bryant had 12 points for LA. Paul Pierce had 12 points for the Celtics. The 3rd quarter was tightly contested as the Celtics outscored the Lakers 18-17. Ray Allen had 6 points for Boston. The Lakers led 72-70 going into the 4th quarter. After the whole game in which both teams were quiet on offense, the 4th quarter was explosive for both teams. With 6:18 left in the 4th, Rasheed Wallace hit a 3 to give the Celtics a 79-70 lead. With 2:18 left, Paul Pierce scored to give the Celtics a 87-79 lead. The Celtics would hold on to win 96-89. They outscored the Lakers 36-27 in the 4th quarter. Glen Davis had 9 points for the Celtics in the 4th off the bench. Paul Pierce had 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists and Glen Davis had 18 points and 5 rebounds off the bench. Kobe Bryant scored 33 points with 6 rebounds for the Lakers.

The Celtics had 16 offensive rebounds and the Lakers only had 8. The game had 10 ties and 13 lead changes.

The Celtics won Game 4 as they now tied the series up at 2-2. Game 5 would be in Boston and the winner of that game would likely win the series.

Game 5

After 4 hard-fought games, the 2010 NBA Finals were tied 2-2. Game 5 was in Boston as both teams looked to take a 3-2 series advantage. The Celtics led 22-20 after the first quarter as Paul Pierce scored 8 in the opening quarter. The Celtics played another good quarter as they outscored the Lakers 23-19. The Celtics led 45-39 going into halftime. Paul Pierce had 15 points in the first half and Rajon Rondo added 10. Kobe Bryant had 10 points for the Lakers. The Lakers needed a spark in the 2nd half if they wanted to win this game. But, the Celtics outscored LA 28-26 in the 3rd quarter. Paul Pierce had 11 points in the 3rd, and Kobe Bryant had 19 for the Lakers. The Celtics led 73-65 going into the 4th. The Lakers would need a flawless quarter to save the game. The Lakers kept trying to comeback, but a score from Rajon Rondo with 35.2 seconds left sealed the deal. The Celtics won Game 5 92-86. Rajon Rondo had 6 points in the 4th quarter and had 18 points in total. Paul Pierce led the way for Boston with 27 points. Kobe Bryant had 38 points and 5 rebounds for the Lakers, but it was not enough.

The Lakers shot 39.7% from the field while the Celtics shot 56.3% from the field. The Celtics led for almost the entire way as they led for 42:50.7 out of 48 minutes.

The Celtics stole Game 5 from the Lakers and they now held a 3-2 series advantage. Game 6 would be back in LA as the Lakers needed a win to stay alive.

Game 6

As the Celtics took a 3-2 series advantage after the Game 5 victory, so Game 6 was match point and the Lakers were going to need a home win to stay in the series. The Lakers started off strong as they led 28-18 after the 1st quarter. Kendrick Perkins landed awkwardly on his knee while going up for a rebound and exited the game. It would be found out that he had torn his ACL and he was done for the series. A crushing blow to the Celtics. Kobe Bryant had 11 points for the Lakers. Without Perkins, the Celtics struggled in the 2nd quarter as they got outscored 23-13. The Lakers led 51-31 at halftime. Kobe Bryant had 15 points to lead the Lakers. Metta World Peace had 10 as well. Ray Allen had 13 points to lead Boston. Without Perkins, the Celtics were not the same team as the Lakers cruised to a 89-67 victory. Kobe Bryant had 26 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lakers.

The Celtics shot 33.3% from the field and the Lakers shot 41.8% from the field. The Lakers led for 44:22 of the game.

The Lakers took advantage of the Perkins injury as they tied the series up 3-3. Game 7 would be back in LA, and the winner would be crowned the champion.

Game 7

It all came down to this. The biggest rivalry in sports. The Lakers vs the Celtics. Game 7 NBA Finals. After a grueling series, it all came down to this. One game for all the marbles. Game 7 would be an instant classic. The Celtics started off well with a 23-14 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. The Celtics held Kobe Bryant to just 1/7 shooting in the quarter. The Lakers rebounded with a solid 2nd quarter in which they outscored the Celtics 20-17. The Celtics led 40-34 going into halftime. Paul Pierce had 11 points to lead the Celtics and Metta World Peace had 12 points to keep the Lakers in the game. The Lakers played another great 3rd quarter as they outscored the Celtics 19-17. The Celtics led 57-53 going into the 4th. The game was low-scoring and defensive oriented. It was going to be battle for the last 12 minutes of the game.

Pau Gasol started the 4th of with a score to pull the Lakers to within two. The nobody scored until the 9:00 minute mark with Kevin Garnett scoring, giving the Celtics a 59-55 lead. With 7:29 left, Metta World Peace scored an and one and tied the game 61-61 at the free throw line. After Ray Allen free throws, the Celtics led 64-61. But, Derek Fisher hit a 3 to tie the game. Kobe Bryant scored 4 points in a row to give the Lakers a 68-64 lead. With 1:23 left, Rasheed Wallace hit a 3 to cut the Lakers lead to 3, 76-73. On the following possession, Metta World Peace hit the dagger 3 as the shot clock was dwindling down to give the Lakers a 79-73 lead. After a Rajon Rondo miss, the Lakers were champions once again. They outscored the Celtics 30-22 in the final quarter.

The Lakers won 83-79 and they were back-to-back NBA Champions. Kobe Bryant had 23 points and 15 rebounds and Metta World Peace had 20 points with 5 steals. He was the hero for the Lakers. Paul Pierce had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead Boston.

Kobe Bryant was crowned Finals MVP, and the Lakers were on top of the world as they had gotten revenge on their bitter rivals.

The 2010 NBA Finals was a great way to start the decade off with one of the greatest rivalries in sports. The series featured star players all-around, and it was a battle to the end. Game 7 lives in infamy, but it one of the greatest games ever played. Many still believe that with Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics would have won this series. This gives this series a lot of questions for NBA fans who remember this excellent series. The 2010 NBA Finals will always be remembered as one of the best battles between the Celtics and the Lakers.

What do you think? Where does the 2010 NBA Finals rank for you all time? Do the Celtics win if Kendrick Perkins stays healthy? Leave all of your comments down below.

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