LA Lakers clinch back-to-back NBA titles

LA Lakers clinch NBA title

The Los Angeles Lakers came from behind to beat the Boston Celtics 83-79 in the decisive seventh game of the NBA finals and secure back-to-back titles.

Pau Gasol starred with 19 points and 17 rebounds, while Kobe Bryant hit 21 points and Ron Artest added 20 points.

The hosts were behind for much of the game - at one stage by 13 points.

But a final-quarter surge put them ahead for the first time since the second quarter and two free throws from Sasha Vujacic sealed the victory.

It was only the second time in 16 years that the series has gone the full distance.

Of 18 decisive seventh games in finals history, 14 have now been won by the hosts.

Every match in this series was won by the team with the most rebounds - Los Angeles dominating that statistic 53-40 in the final game.

Lakers' Spanish forward Gasol was outstanding in that department and drew plaudits from team-mate Bryant.

Gasol (left) was inspirational for the Lakers

"I can't say enough about 'Spain'. That guy's unbelievable, a hell of a player - we wouldn't have won it without him," said Bryant, who collected the Bill Russell Award as finals series MVP for the second time as well as winning his fifth title.

"This is the sweetest title. We've been downplaying the rivalry with the Celtics but there's no question, this one's by far the sweetest because it's against them - and because it's the hardest."

Boston, who were without injured centre Kendrick Perkins, made the early running in the game, building up a 23-14 lead at the first interval.

The visitors took almost five minutes to score in the second period but recovered to go in at half-time 40-34.

A Rajon Rondo two-pointer saw the lead move into double figures for the first time at 47-36 and the same player then added a further two en route to 14 for the game.

But Lamar Odom was to the fore as LA cut the gap to 57-53 by the end of the third quarter and a free throw from Artest levelled the scores at 61-61.

Another 9-0 run took them 70-64 ahead but the game remained in the balance as both teams traded three-pointers.

But Vujacic held his nerve at the crucial moment and Rondo's missed three-pointer allowed Odom to hurl the ball long to Bryant and safety.

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