After losing the 2008 NBA championship to the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers spent two years dreaming of getting revenge.
In 2010, it happened. The Lakers and Celtics collided once again in the NBA Finals, and Kobe Bryant couldn’t have been more pleased, not to mention more motivated.
He publicly claimed he didn’t care about the rivalry and the significance of what a title against Boston would mean, but in reality, he cared as much as anyone.
Unlike in 2008, Los Angeles had home-court advantage, and it would make sure things would happen on its terms.
Bryant had a solid 12 points in the first half as the Lakers forged a 50-41 lead, but he started to really come alive in the third quarter.
He put up 14 points in the period as L.A. stretched its lead to 20. It ended up winning easily, 102-89, as Bryant ended the night with 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
With the Game 1 win in their pocket, the Lakers outlasted Boston in seven games, claiming their fifth championship of the era and avenging all the hurt feelings and frustrations from their finals loss in 2008.
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