2008 NBA Finals Game 6 vs Los Angeles Lakers
The Celtics' 17th title, sealed in six games over the Lakers.
The 2008 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2007–08 season, played from June 5–17, 2008, between the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics and the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics defeated the Lakers in six games to win their first championship since 1986 and their seventeenth title overall. Paul Pierce was named the Finals MVP.
Quick Facts
- Final score
- Celtics 131, Lakers 92
- Series result
- Celtics win 4-2
- Nba finals mvp
- Paul Pierce
- Key moment
- Pierce's 41-point performance in Game 6
- Historical significance
- First championship for the 'Big Three' era
Lore & Background
The Celtics made their first NBA Finals appearance since a six-game loss to the Lakers in 1987. After years of struggles, the 2007 off-season saw general manager Danny Ainge acquire Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to join Paul Pierce. The new 'Big Three,' joined by second-year point guard Rajon Rondo, led the Celtics to a 66-win season. In the playoffs, the Celtics were pushed to the brink by the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers, winning Game 7s at home, then defeated the Detroit Pistons in six games to earn the finals berth.
Reader's Guide
The Celtics won the regular season series 2–0. In Game 1, Paul Pierce returned from an apparent knee injury to score 15 points in the third quarter, finishing with 22 points as the Celtics won 98–88. The series ended with the Celtics winning in six games. Paul Pierce scored 17 points in Game 6 (his 41-point game was in Game 5).
Did You Know?
- The Celtics would not win another championship until 2024.
- Rodd Houston narrated the Celtics' championship season documentary on NBA Entertainment; the made-for-TV version is narrated by Kevin Harlan.
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