Celtics rout Lakers to claim 17th championship

By Steve Ginsburg

BOSTON (Reuters) - The Boston Celtics captured a record 17th NBA championship by trouncing the Los Angeles Lakers 131-92 on Tuesday to seal the best-of-seven title series 4-2.

The Game Six win clinched the first championship for the Celtics since the Larry Bird era 22 years ago. Hundreds of Celtics fans jammed the street outside Boston Garden to celebrate, some smashing storefront windows before dozens of police in riot gear dispersed the crowd.

Playing in the shadow of 16 championship banners hanging from the rafters, Boston took control of the game in the second quarter and stretched a four-point lead into a 58-35 advantage by the intermission.

The Lakers never got closer than 23 points after halftime.

"We challenged them before the game, for one time, let's play 48 minutes of defense, just all-out, denials, challenge shots," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

"Tonight we finally put it together on the perfect night to do it, offensively and defensively.

"It was just perfect."

Off-season acquisitions Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen each had 26 points to lead the Celtics, Allen hitting seven-of-nine from three-point range. Paul Pierce had 17 points for the Celtics and was named the MVP of the championship series.

"I'm not living under the shadows of the other greats now," said Pierce, who averaged 21.8 points over the six games and showered Rivers with Gatorade in the game's final moments. "I'm able to make my own history with my time here.

"If I was going to be one of the best Celtics to ever play, I had to put up a banner. And today we did that."

'WHERES KOBE?'

A delirious green and white-clad crowd at the Garden roared in unison "Beat L.A." and "Where's Kobe?' from the opening tip until the final buzzer.

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant opened quickly but fizzled. The league MVP had 11 points after the opening quarter but only three free throws in the second when the Celtics took command.

He finished with 22 points but hit only seven of 22 shots and committed four turnovers in the rout.

"I'm upset more than anything, frustrated," said Bryant. "But I'm proud. I'm proud of the way we performed all year."