Overview
The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers four games to two in the best-of-seven NBA Finals series to conclude the 2007-08 NBA season. The victory gave Boston its 17th NBA Championship and first since 1986.
This series marked the 11th time the Celtics and Lakers met in the NBA Finals. The Celtics won the first eight Finals series between the teams, but the Lakers won in both 1985 and 1987.
The Celtics had home-court advantage for the Finals, by virtue of their 66-16 regular-season record. Boston won both of the regular-season meetings with the Lakers.
This series marked the 11th time the Celtics and Lakers met in the NBA Finals. The Celtics won the first eight Finals series between the teams, but the Lakers won in both 1985 and 1987.
The Celtics had home-court advantage for the Finals, by virtue of their 66-16 regular-season record. Boston won both of the regular-season meetings with the Lakers.
Road to the Finals
| Team | Lakers | Celtics |
| Regular Season | 57-25, 1st in Pacific Division | 66-16, 1st in Atlantic Division |
| First Round | Def. (8) Denver Nuggets, 4-0 | Def. (8) Atlanta Hawks, 4-3 |
| Conference Semifinals | Def. (4) Utah Jazz, 4-2 | Def. (4) Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-3 |
| Conference Finals | Def. (3) San Antonio Spurs, 4-1 | Def. (2) Detroit Pistons, 4-2 |
Game 1 - Celtics 98, Lakers 88
The Celtics drew first blood and won Game 1, improving to 7-2 all-time at home in Game 1 versus the Lakers. With the win, the Celtics improved to 11-1 at home this postseason. Paul Pierce was the story of Game 1. After scoring only 3 points in the 1st half, Pierce erupted for 15 third-quarter points, going 5-for-5 from the field and 3-for-3 from 3-point range.
Pierce left the game with 6:48 in the third quarter with an apparent knee injury and had to be helped off the court in a wheelchair. However, he dramatically returned to the court after just a few minutes, and re-entered the game showing no ill effects from his injury. Pierce finished with 22 points and Kevin Garnett, who had 16 first-half points, ended Game 1 with 24 points.
Boston held the Lakers to a 25.0 FG percentage in the fourth quarter. The Lakers lost Game 1 for the first time in the 2008 postseason and fell to 4-9 in their last 13 postseason road games.
Kobe Bryant started the game by missing his first three shots and was 2-8 from the field in the first quarter. Bryant scored 12 points in the third quarter and finished with a team-high 24 points for the game. After scoring 51 points in the first half, the Lakers scored just 37 points in the second half. Derek Fisher scored 13 points in the first half but had just 2 points in the second half. The Lakers were outrebounded 46-33 in the game.
Pierce left the game with 6:48 in the third quarter with an apparent knee injury and had to be helped off the court in a wheelchair. However, he dramatically returned to the court after just a few minutes, and re-entered the game showing no ill effects from his injury. Pierce finished with 22 points and Kevin Garnett, who had 16 first-half points, ended Game 1 with 24 points.
Boston held the Lakers to a 25.0 FG percentage in the fourth quarter. The Lakers lost Game 1 for the first time in the 2008 postseason and fell to 4-9 in their last 13 postseason road games.
Kobe Bryant started the game by missing his first three shots and was 2-8 from the field in the first quarter. Bryant scored 12 points in the third quarter and finished with a team-high 24 points for the game. After scoring 51 points in the first half, the Lakers scored just 37 points in the second half. Derek Fisher scored 13 points in the first half but had just 2 points in the second half. The Lakers were outrebounded 46-33 in the game.
Game 2 - Celtics 108, Lakers 102
Boston improved to 12-1 at home this postseason and tied the NBA record for most home wins in a single postseason ('84 Celtics, '88 Lakers). The Celtics trailed by as many as seven in the first quarter but cut the deficit to just two by quarter's end. The Big 3 were the big reason, as they scored 18 of the team's 20 first-quarter points. They were helped by Kobe Bryant's picking up two first-quarter fouls. Both teams shot exactly 50 percent from the field.
The Celtics were dominant in the second quarter led by their bench. Boston started on a 13-2 run and outscored L.A. by 14 in the quarter. The bench combined for 13 points in the quarter led by Leon Powe with 8. Powe got to the free throw line for 9 shots in the quarter, his previous career playoff high for a game was 6. Paul Pierce finished the half with 16 points and five assists, connecting on all 3 attempts from beyond the arc. The Lakers big problem in the first half was turnovers, they had 9 in the half after having just 8 in all of Game 1.
The third quarter was more of the same for Boston. L.A. cut the lead to as low as 9, but the Celtics closed the quarter on a 15-2 run and took a 22-point lead into the final quarter. The Celtics shot 58 percent from the field in the quarter. Kobe was again strong in the third, scoring 8 points. The Big 3 combined for 16 in the quarter. The Celtics outrebounded the Lakers 13-7 in the quarter.
The Celtics nearly allowed the Lakers to make the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history. The Lakers trailed by 24 points with just over 7 minutes remaining and nearly pulled off the miracle comeback. The Lakers set a NBA Finals record with 7 3-pointers in the final quarter. Rajon Rondo provided a career playoff-high 16 assists in leading the offense, while Leon Powe finished with a career playoff-high 21 points off the bench. The star power came from Paul Pierce with 28 points and 8 assists. Kevin Garnett had his 13th double-double of the postseason. The Celtics had a huge edge overall in free throws, shooting 27-38 to the Lakers' 10-10. They also had an edge in bench points with 35 to the Lakers 23. The Celtics as a team dished out 31 assists on 36 FG. The Lakers finished with 13 turnovers but shot well from the field at 49.4 percent. Kobe Bryant went for 30 points (13 in final quarter), but shot under 50 percent from the field, the fourth time in four games he did so against Boston that season.
The Celtics were dominant in the second quarter led by their bench. Boston started on a 13-2 run and outscored L.A. by 14 in the quarter. The bench combined for 13 points in the quarter led by Leon Powe with 8. Powe got to the free throw line for 9 shots in the quarter, his previous career playoff high for a game was 6. Paul Pierce finished the half with 16 points and five assists, connecting on all 3 attempts from beyond the arc. The Lakers big problem in the first half was turnovers, they had 9 in the half after having just 8 in all of Game 1.
The third quarter was more of the same for Boston. L.A. cut the lead to as low as 9, but the Celtics closed the quarter on a 15-2 run and took a 22-point lead into the final quarter. The Celtics shot 58 percent from the field in the quarter. Kobe was again strong in the third, scoring 8 points. The Big 3 combined for 16 in the quarter. The Celtics outrebounded the Lakers 13-7 in the quarter.
The Celtics nearly allowed the Lakers to make the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history. The Lakers trailed by 24 points with just over 7 minutes remaining and nearly pulled off the miracle comeback. The Lakers set a NBA Finals record with 7 3-pointers in the final quarter. Rajon Rondo provided a career playoff-high 16 assists in leading the offense, while Leon Powe finished with a career playoff-high 21 points off the bench. The star power came from Paul Pierce with 28 points and 8 assists. Kevin Garnett had his 13th double-double of the postseason. The Celtics had a huge edge overall in free throws, shooting 27-38 to the Lakers' 10-10. They also had an edge in bench points with 35 to the Lakers 23. The Celtics as a team dished out 31 assists on 36 FG. The Lakers finished with 13 turnovers but shot well from the field at 49.4 percent. Kobe Bryant went for 30 points (13 in final quarter), but shot under 50 percent from the field, the fourth time in four games he did so against Boston that season.
Game 3 - Lakers 87, Celtics 81
The Lakers, who trailed by 2 points through three quarters, outscored the Celtics 27-19 in the fourth quarter. With the win, the Lakers snapped a five-game NBA Finals losing streak and improved to 9-0 at home in the 2008 postseason. The 9-game home win streak is one shy of the single postseason record, which has been matched six times, most recently by the 1997 Utah Jazz.
The Lakers started the game on a 9-2 run and took 10 free throwsin the first 7:01 of the first quarter. In Game 2 in Boston, the Lakers took a total of 10 free throws the entire game. Kobe Bryant tied his NBA Finals high of 36 points and was 4 points shy of his seventth career 40-point playoff game. Bryant went 11-for-18 from the free-throw line. It was the fifth time in his postseason career he attempted at least 18 free throws in a game, but the first time that he's missed seven free throws in a postseason game.
Sasha Vujacic was huge for the Lakers off the bench. He scored a postseason-high 20 points in 28 minutes and had 8 points in the fourth quarter. The Celtics fell to 2-8 on the road in the 2008 postseason.
Paul Pierce's homecoming was one to forget. Pierce scored 6 points and was 2-for-14 from the field. The Big 3 of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen combined for 3 points on 1-for-12 FG (Pierce, Garnett: 0-9 FG) in the first quarter and were 16-for-48 from the field (33.3 percent) for the game. Ray Allen scored 25 points and was the Celtics' top individual scorer for the third time in the 2008 postseason, the first since April 28 (Game 4 of Round 1).
The Lakers started the game on a 9-2 run and took 10 free throwsin the first 7:01 of the first quarter. In Game 2 in Boston, the Lakers took a total of 10 free throws the entire game. Kobe Bryant tied his NBA Finals high of 36 points and was 4 points shy of his seventth career 40-point playoff game. Bryant went 11-for-18 from the free-throw line. It was the fifth time in his postseason career he attempted at least 18 free throws in a game, but the first time that he's missed seven free throws in a postseason game.
Sasha Vujacic was huge for the Lakers off the bench. He scored a postseason-high 20 points in 28 minutes and had 8 points in the fourth quarter. The Celtics fell to 2-8 on the road in the 2008 postseason.
Paul Pierce's homecoming was one to forget. Pierce scored 6 points and was 2-for-14 from the field. The Big 3 of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen combined for 3 points on 1-for-12 FG (Pierce, Garnett: 0-9 FG) in the first quarter and were 16-for-48 from the field (33.3 percent) for the game. Ray Allen scored 25 points and was the Celtics' top individual scorer for the third time in the 2008 postseason, the first since April 28 (Game 4 of Round 1).
Game 4 - Celtics 97, Lakers 91
Boston trailed by 21 points at the end of the first quarter, 18 points at halftime and by as many as 24 points in the game, but Boston outscored the Lakers 31-15 in the thirrd quarter to get back in the game. The Celtics shot 61.1 percent from the field in the third quarter. The 21-point deficit at the end of the first quarter was the largest deficit in NBA Finals history and the largest first-quarter deficit overcome to win a NBA Finals game. The 18-point halftime deficit is the largest overcome in NBA Finals history. With the win, the Celtics improved to 5-1 in the 2007-08 season versus the Lakers (including playoffs).
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 20 points, 9 in the third quarter. Boston got huge contributions from its bench. James Posey and Eddie House combined for 29 points and went 6-for-12 from 3-point range. Posey had 18 points, 2 shy of his playoff career high. Kendrick Perkins left the game in the second quarter with a strained left shoulder and didn't return to the game. The Celtics were outrebounded for the first time in nine postseason games, 41-40. The Celtics improved to 3-8 on the road in the 2008 postseason, with all three postseason road wins coming in the last two series.
This was the Celtics 24th postseason game, one shy of the record for a single postseason (2005 Pistons and 1994 Knicks). With the loss, the Lakers fell to 9-1 at home in the 2008 postseason and failed to tie the NBA record for most consecutive home wins in a single postseason (their first home loss since March 28, when they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies). Los Angeles was outscored 57-33 in the second half. All five Lakers starters scored in double figures. Lamar Odom led the Lakers with 19 points, 13 in the first quarter (4 points in Game 3). Kobe Bryant went 0-for-4 from the field and failed to make a field goal in the first half for the second time in 23 NBA Finals games. Bryant finished with 17 points (10 in the 4th) on 6-of-19 from the field but did pass Elgin Baylor for 4th most postseason points scored in Lakers history. Bryant's 17 points were his fewest in a playoff game since he scored 15 against the Suns in Game 2 of the 2007 first round.
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 20 points, 9 in the third quarter. Boston got huge contributions from its bench. James Posey and Eddie House combined for 29 points and went 6-for-12 from 3-point range. Posey had 18 points, 2 shy of his playoff career high. Kendrick Perkins left the game in the second quarter with a strained left shoulder and didn't return to the game. The Celtics were outrebounded for the first time in nine postseason games, 41-40. The Celtics improved to 3-8 on the road in the 2008 postseason, with all three postseason road wins coming in the last two series.
This was the Celtics 24th postseason game, one shy of the record for a single postseason (2005 Pistons and 1994 Knicks). With the loss, the Lakers fell to 9-1 at home in the 2008 postseason and failed to tie the NBA record for most consecutive home wins in a single postseason (their first home loss since March 28, when they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies). Los Angeles was outscored 57-33 in the second half. All five Lakers starters scored in double figures. Lamar Odom led the Lakers with 19 points, 13 in the first quarter (4 points in Game 3). Kobe Bryant went 0-for-4 from the field and failed to make a field goal in the first half for the second time in 23 NBA Finals games. Bryant finished with 17 points (10 in the 4th) on 6-of-19 from the field but did pass Elgin Baylor for 4th most postseason points scored in Lakers history. Bryant's 17 points were his fewest in a playoff game since he scored 15 against the Suns in Game 2 of the 2007 first round.
Game 5 - Lakers 103, Celtics 98
The Lakers lived to see another day despite surrendering a 19-point lead at the start of the second quarter. The Lakers improved to 10-1 at home in the 2008 postseason. Phil Jackson improved to 8-2 in games in which his team is facing elimination at home. The Lakers beat the Celtics for just the second time in seven meetings in the 2007-08 season, including regular season. The Lakers won for just the second time in their last eight NBA Finals games.
The Lakers outscored the Celtics 39-22 in the first quarter. (Seventeen at the end of the quarter was the biggest lead of the quarter.) The Lakers shot 65 percent from the field and had only one turnover. Kobe Bryant had 15 points after scoring just 17 points in all of Game 4. Bryant hit 4-of-5 from 3-point range (2-for-10 in NBA Finals entering Game 5). Pau Gasol had 9 points and 5 rebounds in the quarter. Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 8 points but picked up two fouls. Garnett was 4-of-6 from the field while the rest of the team was 4-of-14.
Much like in Game 4, the Celtics had a comeback in them, this time in the second quarter. The Celtics outscored the Lakers 30-16 in the second quarter and shot 11-for-19 from the field (Lakers shot 7-of-21). The Lakers led by as many as 19 points after scoring the first bucket of the second quarter (41-22), but the Celtics cut the lead to 43-39, using a 15-0 run. Boston ended the first half down by just 3 points, 55-52. Paul Pierce had 16 points in the second quarter on 6-of-9 shooting and 21 in the first half (after averaging 19 in the first 4 games). Bryant and Gasol combined to score zero points in the quarter. (Kobe was 0-for-4; Gasol didn't take a shot.) Garnett picked up his third foul and played only 11 minutes in the first half. Odom had 9 points in the second quarter.
For the first time all series, the Lakers won the third quarter, outscoring the Celtics 24-18. By the end of the quarter, Kevin Garnett had four fouls and P.J. Brown had five. The Lakers had eight turnovers in the third quarter (seven total in the first half). Ray Allen had 7 points in the quarter (9 in the first half). Gasol had 8 points in the quarter. Bryant had just 3 points on 1-of-4 shooting in the quarter.
The Lakers used their momentum from the third quarter to hold off the Celtics in the fourth. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 25 points, 15 in the first quarter. Pau Gasol had 19 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. Odom had 20 points and 11 rebounds, his ninth double-double in the 2008 postseason, while also tying a career high with 4 blocks.
This was the Celtics' 25th playoff game in the 2008 postseason, tying the record for most postseason games played in a single postseason (1994 Knicks, 2005 Pistons). This was the first Game 5 in the 2008 postseason that the Celtics have lost. (The other three Game 5s were at home.) The Celtics fell to 3-9 on the road this postseason. The nine road losses tie them with the 1994 New York Knicks for most road losses in a single postseason. Doc Rivers fell to just 1-5 in games in which his team can clinch a playoff series on the road. (The only win was the East finals against the Pistons in the previous round.) Kevin Garnett scored 13 points giving him 504 points this postseason. Larry Bird is the only other Celtics player to score at least 500 postseason points in a single postseason. Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 38 points, his second 30-point game in the 2008 postseason (41 points in Game 7 vs. Cavaliers). Ray Allen had 16 points before fouling out for the first time in 62 career postseason games.
The Lakers outscored the Celtics 39-22 in the first quarter. (Seventeen at the end of the quarter was the biggest lead of the quarter.) The Lakers shot 65 percent from the field and had only one turnover. Kobe Bryant had 15 points after scoring just 17 points in all of Game 4. Bryant hit 4-of-5 from 3-point range (2-for-10 in NBA Finals entering Game 5). Pau Gasol had 9 points and 5 rebounds in the quarter. Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 8 points but picked up two fouls. Garnett was 4-of-6 from the field while the rest of the team was 4-of-14.
Much like in Game 4, the Celtics had a comeback in them, this time in the second quarter. The Celtics outscored the Lakers 30-16 in the second quarter and shot 11-for-19 from the field (Lakers shot 7-of-21). The Lakers led by as many as 19 points after scoring the first bucket of the second quarter (41-22), but the Celtics cut the lead to 43-39, using a 15-0 run. Boston ended the first half down by just 3 points, 55-52. Paul Pierce had 16 points in the second quarter on 6-of-9 shooting and 21 in the first half (after averaging 19 in the first 4 games). Bryant and Gasol combined to score zero points in the quarter. (Kobe was 0-for-4; Gasol didn't take a shot.) Garnett picked up his third foul and played only 11 minutes in the first half. Odom had 9 points in the second quarter.
For the first time all series, the Lakers won the third quarter, outscoring the Celtics 24-18. By the end of the quarter, Kevin Garnett had four fouls and P.J. Brown had five. The Lakers had eight turnovers in the third quarter (seven total in the first half). Ray Allen had 7 points in the quarter (9 in the first half). Gasol had 8 points in the quarter. Bryant had just 3 points on 1-of-4 shooting in the quarter.
The Lakers used their momentum from the third quarter to hold off the Celtics in the fourth. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 25 points, 15 in the first quarter. Pau Gasol had 19 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. Odom had 20 points and 11 rebounds, his ninth double-double in the 2008 postseason, while also tying a career high with 4 blocks.
This was the Celtics' 25th playoff game in the 2008 postseason, tying the record for most postseason games played in a single postseason (1994 Knicks, 2005 Pistons). This was the first Game 5 in the 2008 postseason that the Celtics have lost. (The other three Game 5s were at home.) The Celtics fell to 3-9 on the road this postseason. The nine road losses tie them with the 1994 New York Knicks for most road losses in a single postseason. Doc Rivers fell to just 1-5 in games in which his team can clinch a playoff series on the road. (The only win was the East finals against the Pistons in the previous round.) Kevin Garnett scored 13 points giving him 504 points this postseason. Larry Bird is the only other Celtics player to score at least 500 postseason points in a single postseason. Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 38 points, his second 30-point game in the 2008 postseason (41 points in Game 7 vs. Cavaliers). Ray Allen had 16 points before fouling out for the first time in 62 career postseason games.
Game 6 - Celtics 131, Lakers 92
The Celtics left no doubt in this one and won their 17th NBA title (nine against the Lakers) and first since 1986. The 39-point margin was the largest margin of victory in a title-clinching game. It was just 3 points shy of the worst loss in any NBA Finals game (42 points by Bulls over Jazz in 1998). The Celtics became the first team since the 1977 Trail Blazers to win the NBA title after missing the playoffs the previous season. This was the Celtics' 26th playoff game this postseason, the most ever played in a single postseason. The Celtics are the first team to have the best regular season record and win the NBA title since the 2002-03 Spurs. The Celtics won their 13th home game in the 2008 postseason, the most home wins in a single postseason. The Celtics finished the NBA Finals with 52 3-pointers, the most ever in an NBA Finals series. The Lakers and Celtics combined for 23 made 3-pointers in Game 6, tying the second-most in a NBA Finals game. Entering Game 6, the Celtics had played 107 games this season (regular and postseason combined). The most points they had scored in any of those games was 119, done twice.
Paul Pierce was named 2008 NBA Finals MVP, becoming the fifth different Celtics NBA Finals MVP. Pierce averaged 21.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists in the NBA Finals. Pierce scored 17 points in Game 6 to give him over 500 points this postseason, joining Kevin Garnett and Larry Bird as the only Celtics players to score 500-plus points in a single postseason. The Celtics are only the second team in NBA history to have two players each score 500-plus points in a single postseason. (The 2002 Lakers are the other with Kobe and Shaq.) Pierce also had 10 assists in Game 6.
Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 26 points (10 in the first quarter) and 14 rebounds after scoring just 13 points in all of Game 5. Garnett posted his sixth double-double in the NBA Finals, only the 8th player in NBA history to post a double-double in each of his first six NBA Finals games. Garnett became the fourth player to win Defensive Player of the Year and win an NBA title in the same season.
Ray Allen had 26 points (12 in the fourth), including 7-of-9 from 3-point range. The seven 3-pointers ties an NBA record for most 3-pointers in an NBA Finals game with Kenny Smith of the Rockets (1995 OT game) and Scottie Pippen of the Bulls (1997). Allen had 22 3-pointers in the NBA Finals, the most in an NBA Finals series. Allen averaged 20.3 points in the series.
Rajon Rondo had 6 steals (4 in the first quarter), 1 shy of the record by Robert Horry, who had 7 steals when he was with the Rockets. Rondo also had a postseason career-high 21 points (10 in the third quarter). The Celtics had 18 steals, the most ever in an NBA Finals game.
It was the largest NBA Finals loss in Lakers franchise history. This was the Lakers' 15th championship series loss, the most among major pro sports teams. The Lakers fell to 4-6 on the road in the 2008 postseason. The Lakers were dominated on the glass, 48-29 (14-2 on the offensive boards). The Lakers had 2 offensive rebounds in the game, the fewest ever in an NBA finals game. Lakers had 19 turnovers, their most in the 2008 postseason.
Phil Jackson fell to 1-6 on the road in games in which his team has faced playoff elimination. Only Rick Adelman has a lower win percentage in potential elimination games on the road. It was the largest defeat in postseason during Phil Jackson's coaching career. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 22 points, 11 in the first quarter, on just 7-of-22 from the field. Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol combined for 25 points on 6-of-15 shooting after combining for 39 points in Game 5. They combined for zero offensive rebounds.
Paul Pierce was named 2008 NBA Finals MVP, becoming the fifth different Celtics NBA Finals MVP. Pierce averaged 21.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists in the NBA Finals. Pierce scored 17 points in Game 6 to give him over 500 points this postseason, joining Kevin Garnett and Larry Bird as the only Celtics players to score 500-plus points in a single postseason. The Celtics are only the second team in NBA history to have two players each score 500-plus points in a single postseason. (The 2002 Lakers are the other with Kobe and Shaq.) Pierce also had 10 assists in Game 6.
Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 26 points (10 in the first quarter) and 14 rebounds after scoring just 13 points in all of Game 5. Garnett posted his sixth double-double in the NBA Finals, only the 8th player in NBA history to post a double-double in each of his first six NBA Finals games. Garnett became the fourth player to win Defensive Player of the Year and win an NBA title in the same season.
Ray Allen had 26 points (12 in the fourth), including 7-of-9 from 3-point range. The seven 3-pointers ties an NBA record for most 3-pointers in an NBA Finals game with Kenny Smith of the Rockets (1995 OT game) and Scottie Pippen of the Bulls (1997). Allen had 22 3-pointers in the NBA Finals, the most in an NBA Finals series. Allen averaged 20.3 points in the series.
Rajon Rondo had 6 steals (4 in the first quarter), 1 shy of the record by Robert Horry, who had 7 steals when he was with the Rockets. Rondo also had a postseason career-high 21 points (10 in the third quarter). The Celtics had 18 steals, the most ever in an NBA Finals game.
It was the largest NBA Finals loss in Lakers franchise history. This was the Lakers' 15th championship series loss, the most among major pro sports teams. The Lakers fell to 4-6 on the road in the 2008 postseason. The Lakers were dominated on the glass, 48-29 (14-2 on the offensive boards). The Lakers had 2 offensive rebounds in the game, the fewest ever in an NBA finals game. Lakers had 19 turnovers, their most in the 2008 postseason.
Phil Jackson fell to 1-6 on the road in games in which his team has faced playoff elimination. Only Rick Adelman has a lower win percentage in potential elimination games on the road. It was the largest defeat in postseason during Phil Jackson's coaching career. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 22 points, 11 in the first quarter, on just 7-of-22 from the field. Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol combined for 25 points on 6-of-15 shooting after combining for 39 points in Game 5. They combined for zero offensive rebounds.