In a historic match-up that was last seen 21 years ago, the series lived up to its billing in a seven game thriller. It was NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant who led the charge, averaging 29 points and 6 assists per game throughout the series. With this victory, Phil Jackson set a new record by winning 10 NBA Championships as a coach. The Finals tip off this Thursday at 9PM EST on ABC.

Game 1

Celtics strike first over Lakers 105-99

Point Leaders:

1. Kevin Garnett - 20 Points, 9 Rebounds, 4 Blocks
2. Kobe Bryant - 25 Points, 10 Rebounds, 7 Assists

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 47%
LA – 45%

Garnett leads Celtics to a Game 1 win

Recap – The Fleet Center erupts after an exciting Game 1 of the NBA playoffs. Kevin Garnett leads his team in scoring and offensive rebounds. Also a monster on the defensive side of the ball, Garnett’s blocking rampage is reminiscent of the Bill Russell era.

Game 2

Lakers quiet Celtic fans at Fleet Center winning 96-90

Point Leaders

1. Paul Pierce - 24 Points, 9 Assists
2. Kobe Bryant - 30 Points, 4 Three-pointers

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 47%
LA – 47%

Kobe slams home a crowd-silencer.

Recap – An uncontested Kobe Bryant slam dunk sets the tone early in the first quarter. Kobe and the Lakers never relinquish the lead resulting in a 6-point victory and more importantly, a split of the first two games in Boston.

Game 3

Lakers dominate at home Game 3, 109-101

Point Leaders

1. Paul Pierce - 23 Points, 4 steals
2. Kobe Bryant - 36 Points, 9 Rebounds, 10 Assists

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 46%
LA – 49%

Kobe's dazzling dunk lights up the home crowd.

Recap – Paul Pierce has a big game but didn’t match up to Kobe’s near triple-double performance. Kobe’s dazzling dunk rejuvenates the Lakers and the fans at the Staples Center. The momentum shifts towards the Lakers after taking Game 3.

Game 4

Celtics come back to win 91-88 victory over Lakers

Point Leaders

1. Ray Allen - 29 Points, 6 three-pointers, 4 Assists
2. Pau Gasol - 19 Points, 14 Rebounds, 3 Blocks

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 49%
LA – 44%

Ray Allen hits an important three-point shot in the 4th quarter.

Recap – Ray Allen leads the Celtics to an important victory in the Staples Center. Allen’s strong perimeter play gave the Celtics a strong lead early in the 4th quarter and ties up the series.

Game 5

LA leads series by winning Game 5, 95-92

Point Leaders

1. Kevin Garnett - 21 Points, 10 Rebounds, 4 Blocks
2. Pau Gasol - 25 Points, 12 Rebounds, 5 Blocks

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 47%
LA – 50%

Gasol’s strong double-double performance down low gives the Lakers a series lead.

Recap – The battle in the paint was the focus for much of Game 5. Rebounding was the key to the Lakers victory. Gasol outrebounded Celtic muscle-man Kendrick Perkins. Gasol also took a page from Garnett’s Game 1 performance by blocking five shots, and kept his number one rank as the leading shot blocker in the 2008 NBA Playoffs.

Game 6

Celtics force Game 7, 98-97

Point Leaders

1. Paul Pierce - 28 Points, 6 Steals, 8 Assists
2. Kobe Bryant - 28 Points, 8 Rebounds, 6 Assists

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 46%
LA – 44%

Kevin Garnett hits a fade away jumper in the dying seconds of game 6 to pull the Celtics to a 98-97 victory.

Recap – The Celtics, led by a strong performance from Paul Pierce, overcame the Lakers to force a Game 7. Pierce went shot for shot with Bryant, tying him in points, and rounded out his game with four defensive steals.

Game 7

Lakers win NBA Championship, 106-101

Point Leaders

1. Kevin Garnett - 29 Points, 7 Blocks, 10 Rebounds
2. Kobe Bryant - 38 Points, 10 Rebounds, 11 Assists

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 48%
LA – 51%

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol work the Celtic defense with a strong two-man game.

Recap –The Lakers win their 15th NBA Finals Championship. After a quiet first half, Kobe scored 29 of his 38 points in the second half in an astounding triple-double performance cementing himself as this year’s NBA Finals MVP. The Lakers beat the Celtics in the NBA Finals for the third time in a row. The life-long rivalry now stands at 10 - 3 in Boston’s favor.

NBA LIVE 09 will be in stores on October 7, 2008.