On Tuesday, June 15th, the Boston Celtics traveled to Los Angeles for Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals. Boston came in to the Staples Center riding a huge wave of momentum, having won two games in a row over the Lakers. Unfortunately for the Celtics, that wave of momentum came crashing down around them on Tuesday night, as the Lakers crushed them 89-67.

Boston was sluggish on offense and horrendous on defense. Boston’s bad luck was made even more clear when their starting center, Kendrick Perkins, went out with a sprained right knee. Ray Allen scored 19 for Boston and Kevin Garnett had a solid game too, scoring 12 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. Paul Pierce scored 13 points but also had 5 turnovers.

The Lakers managed to stifle Rajon Rondo in Game 6, holding him to 10 points and only 6 assists. Kobe Bryant was spectacular, scoring 26 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Pau Gasol was also back in top form, scoring 17 points and getting 13 rebounds. Ron Artest added 15 points and 6 rebounds as well. By the end of the night, the Lakers had out-rebounded the Celtics 52-39.

The Lakers did everything they needed to do in Game 6 to force a Game 7. Kobe played incredibly well, and the players around him stepped up both offensively and defensively. It is not easy to play your best when in a must-win situation, but the Lakers did their best to make it seem like child’s play.