2008 NBA Finals

Celtics’ Ray Allen puts up a shot between Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant in Game 2.  (Winslow Townson / Associated Press)

Lakers’ Paul Gasol and coach Phil Jackson during first quarter action of Game 2.  (CJ Gunther / EPA)

The Lakers’ Pau Gasol and the Celtics’ Kendrick Perkins tip off Game 2.  (Larry W. Smith / EPA)

Lakers’ Lamar Odom rallies his teammates at the opening of Game 2.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant practices one day after losing to the Celtics in Game 1.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant is fouled by the Celtics’ Ray Allen as he goes up for a shot.   (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics goes up for the ball alongside Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.   (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

Fans enter the Staples Center in L.A. before Game 3 of the NBA Finals.  (Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images)

The crowd reacts to a three-pointer by Celtics forward James Posey, who made the shot over Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.


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• The Lakers went far in 2007-08; here’s what they need for next year
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• Sports A-Z  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics forward Paul Pierce lets out a yell as he celebrates with teammates Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins after winning the NBA championship Tuesday night.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics forward Kevin Garnett celebrates Boston’s 17th NBA championship Tuesday night.




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  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics forward Paul Pierce hoists the Most Valuable Player trophy after leading Boston to a 131-92 victory over the Lakers on Tuesday night and clinching the franchise’s 17th NBA championship.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Boston Celtics players gather to touch the Larry O’Brien trophy after defeating the Lakers, 131-92, to win the NBA championship on Tuesday night.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics Eddie Jones kneels to the floor as his team wins the championship against the Lakers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals at the TD Banknorth Center.




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  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Pau Gasol has the ball stripped from him by the Celtics’ Kevin Garnett on Tuesday night.




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  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Pau Gasol can’t believe he’s been called for a foul as Celtics forward Kevin Garnett begins to celebrate late in the game Tuesday night.




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  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics forward Kevin Garnett makes sure Lamar Odom will not score after fouling him on a drive in the second half Tuesday night.




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  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics guard Ray Allen gets to a rebound before Lakers center Pau Gasol on Tuesday night.




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  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is fouled by Celtics forward P.J. Brown on a drive to the basket Tuesday night.




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  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics center Kendrick Perkins blocks the shot of Lamar Odom late in the first half Tuesday night.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Pau Gasol is called for a foul during a battle with Celtics forward P.J. Brown in the second half Tuesday night.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Pau Gasol looks to shoot over the double-teaming defense of Boston’s Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins in the first half Tuesday night.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant watches his acrobatic shot drop as Celtics forward P.J. Brown can only watch Tuesday night.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics forward Kevin Garnett launches a fallaway bank shot after drawing a foul from Lamar Odom late in the second quarter Tuesday night.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Boston forward Kevin Garnett pumps his first while waiting for teammate Rajon Rondo to help him up after making a fadeway bank shot over Lakers forward Lamar Odom.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers center Pau Gasol tries to chase down an errant pass from Kobe Bryant on Tuesday night, when L.A. made 10 turnovers in the first half.




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  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Boston forward Paul Pierce beats Lakers center Pau Gasol down the lane for a layup in the first half Tuesday night.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Luke Walton is fouled by Celtics forward P.J. Brown after he beat Boston forward James Posey on the drive during the first half Tuesday night.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Luke Walton draws a foul from Celtics forward P.J. Brown as Celtics forward James Posey takes a swipe at the ball during the first half Tuesday night.




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  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Derek Fisher and Celtics guard Eddie House chase after a loose ball during the first half Tuesday night.




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  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Celtics forward Kevin Garnett lets out a yell after making a tough jump shot and drawing a foul late in the first half Tuesday night.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Lamar Odom pulls down a rebound in front of Celtics center Kendrick Perkins and forward Paul Pierce in the first half Tuesday night.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Boston Celtics are trying to add to the 16 NBA championship banners that currently hang from the rafters at TD Banknorth Garden.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A young fan arrives ahead of the crowd Tuesday night at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston for Game 6 of the NBA Finals.




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  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Patriots Coach Bill Belichick and girlfriend Linda Holliday wait for the start of Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.




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  (Winslow Townson / Associated Press)

A Celtics fan is ready for Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.




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  (Elsa / Getty Images)

Lakers center Pau Gasol, who had 19 points and 13 rebounds in a Game 5 victory, prepares for Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night in Boston.




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  (Jim Rogash / Getty Images)