LA Lakers players celebrate winning the NBA Championship
- 00:01:27
- ITN
LA Lakers players celebrate winning the NBA Championship
The Los Angeles Lakers have won their 15th NBA championship and first since 2002 with a 99-86 victory over the Orlando Magic. The victory meant Los Angeles won the best-of-seven series 4-1, giving coach Phil Jackson his record tenth title. Eleven-times All-Star and 2008 league MVP Kobe Bryant clinched his fourth NBA championship and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Finals, the first time he has won the award. The Lakers took control of the game in the second quarter, scoring 16 straight points to turn a four-point deficit into a 52-40 lead with three minutes left in the first half. Los Angeles saw their ten-point halftime lead cut to 58-53, but Lamar Odom hit two three-pointers during a 13-2 run to give the Lakers a 71-55 advantage with just over three minutes left in the third quarter. Rashard Lewis scored 18 points to lead the Magic, while Hedo Turkoglu, Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee each added 12.
ITN | June 15, 2009
