Information All Star

The Los Angeles Lakers captured their 15th NBA Championship and 10th ring as a coach for Phil Jackson. The Lakers defeated Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their NBA Finals series via a 99-86 win in Amway Arena.

Undeniably, it was Kobe Bryant’s night. He scored 30 points, dished out 5 assists and blocked 4 shots. Pau Gasol’s defense in the interior was a big part of Dwigth Howard’s limited effectiveness in the paint. The Lakers trailed halfway through the second quarter, 40-36, but took off on a 16-0 run that seemed to stun the Magic. Trevor Ariza had seven points during the run, and Fisher had five as the Magic went 4 minutes 25 seconds without scoring a point.

In the end, Los Angeles’ defense was just as up to the task as Los Angeles’ vaunted offense. Orlando’s screen-and-roll attack was barely a factor, as the Lakers’ spacing and efficient perimeter shooting on the other end made this a one-sided game by halftime. Technorati Profile Read more…

The Los Angeles Lakers need only one more win to capture their 15th NBA Championship, but rumors are said to be spreading that even if the Lakers become champions, officials said they can’t afford to throw the team a victory party, which they were doing in the past, to celebrate the victory.

The Lakers have taken a commanding 3-1 lead over the Magic in their best-of-seven- series, and will have the chance to clinch the championship on game 5 in Amway Arena. The win will set the stage for a triumphal parade through downtown LA.

Officials say such celebration could cost the city $1 million or more at a time when city leaders, faced with a deep budget deficit, were considering worker layoffs and cuts in services. Read more…