Oh, how things have changed for the Lakers.

On a night filled with shooting struggles, all Kobe Bryant could do was watch.

Ron Artest and Pau Gasol unquestionably scored the biggest baskets of their careers, contributing to the Lakers’ 83-79 win over the Boston Celtics to claim their second consecutive and 16th overall NBA title. 

Gasol (19 points, 18 rebounds) converted a double-pump turnaround that gave the Los Angeles Lakers a six-point lead with 90 seconds remaining in regulation.

After a Boston score, Bryant was double-teamed immediately and gave the ball up to Artest on the wing.  With a defender in his face, Artest (20 points, 5 steals) let a triple fly that hit nothing but the bottom of the net – upping the Laker lead to six points.

After a barrage of three-point field goals, L.A. was clinging to a 81-79 advantage.  Another Laker not wearing #24 – Sasha Vujacic - buried two clutch free throws to put the game on ice, and give the game its final tally. 

From the start of the game, Boston dictated that Game 7 of the Finals would be won playing their style of basketball.  And it was evident that the referees were going to let the players determine the game’s outcome.  In the early going, there was lots of pushing, shoving, bumping and grinding.  The Celtics played great team defense – effectively stifling the home team in the first quarter.  The Celtics ended the first with all of the momentum in their favor, and led 23-14.

The second quarter saw the Lakers dwindle down that nine-point advantage, with a big unexpected surge from forward Ron Artest.  Artest scored 11 points in the period, keeping L.A. afloat.  Also, the Lakers were mauling the Celtics on the offensive glass.  Los Angeles was shooting terribly (in part to some tough Boston defense), but staying close by getting second – and third – and even fourth opportunities on the offensive end.  But the game’s flow still benefited Boston, who were getting contributions from various players.  The Lakers had effectively chipped into the visitors’ lead, and the team went into intermission with Boston leading 40-34.

Ron Artest saved the Lakers with his offense and defense tonight.

Los Angeles and Boston engaged in a back-and-forth exchange in the third period.  At one juncture, the Celtics had extended to a 13-point lead.  But Artest continued to make an impact for L.A. (offensively and defensively), coming to the aid of a struggling Kobe Bryant – who finished with 23 points on 6-24 from the field.  Inch by inch, the Lakers were beginning to make things interesting, pulling closer and closer to the Celtics – ultimately ending the quarter trailing by only four points.

During the first half of the fourth quarter, the Lakers rode their momentum to transform the contest into a nail-biting affair.  Their run was highlighted by two big plays – a Derek Fisher 3-pointer with 6:12 remaining to tie the game at 64, and moments later, a Kobe Bryant pull-up jumper to give the Lakers a four-point cushion, 68-64.

Then it was time for Bryant’s teammates – Gasol, Artest and Vujacic – to take center stage on the biggest night of the season.  Although Bryant was clearly the best player in the series (and he won the NBA Finals MVP), Game 7 clearly demonstrated the value associated with team play.  When Kobe’s cast played well, the Lakers won.  When they didn’t, they lost no matter what Kobe did.

In the end, the Los Angeles Lakers stood tall as a team – and that made all of the difference.