By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

The Boston Celtics were the best basketball team on the Staples Center floor for the first 36 minutes of game 7 of the NBA Finals. But NBA games are 48 minutes long and the Celtics ran out of gas in the 4th Quarter and the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage to win their second consecutive NBA Title with an 83-79 win.

Coming into the game rebounding was a major key to the series and the Lakers dominated this category the entire game. But the Celtics were still able to maintain a lead most of the way despite LA’s dominance on the boards. The Lakers outrebounded the Celtics 53-40, and 23-8 on the offensive glass.

Heading into game 6 with a 3-2 lead and into this game many speculated who would be the MVP of the series if the Celtics won. Well, the fact that answer was never clear ended up killing the Celtics in the final quarter. The Celtics needed someone to step and make shots down the stretch but no one made it happen. The ball movement wasn’t there and the offense became extremely stagnant. Rajon Rondo came 2 rebounds short of a triple double, but he wasn’t able to create good looks for his team in the 4th Quarter. Kevin Garnett could have been more aggressive offensively and he finished with only 3 rebounds. Paul Pierce scored 18 points and grabbed 10 boards but he was unable to put the Celts on his back in the clutch. And Ray Allen shot only 3-14 finishing with 13 points. Give a lot of credit to Rasheed Wallace who filled in admirably for the injured Kendrick Perkins. He ended up fouling out of the game but Sheed scored 11 points and had 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.

The Celtics were so close to finishing off a storybook run to the NBA Title. In the end they just couldn’t quite close the deal. What does the future hold for these Celtics? Allen is a free agent, Pierce can opt out of his contract and Doc Rivers might not return to the bench. The only bench players under contract for next season are Glen Davis and Wallace. Team Green could have a new look in 2010-2011. So close to banner 18, but it’s now back to the drawing board for Danny Ainge. It’s now 17 Titles for Boston to 16 for LA. NBA withdrawal is coming. The new season can’t come soon enough. Is it October yet?

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