Turnovers Ding Magic in OT

Prez: 'I haven't seen anybody match up with Michael'

(NEWSER) - President and Basketballer-in-Chief Obama wasn’t coy when asked whether he preferred Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan: “Oh, Michael,” he told the AP. “I mean, Kobe’s terrific. Don’t get me wrong,” he said. “But I haven’t seen anybody match up with Michael.” Jordan, of course, played for Obama’s hometown Bulls—though Obama says he’s “no Lakers hater,” and indeed predicted Los Angeles’ victory over Orlando in the NBA finals. More»

Celtics beaten 83-79 as Lakers claim 16th title

(AP) - The Los Angeles Lakers have won their 16th NBA championship, dramatically rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game 7 of the NBA finals. Kobe Bryant scored 23 points despite 6-of-24 shooting while winning his fifth title with the Lakers, who repeated as NBA champions for the first time since winning three straight from 2000-02. More»

Cops vow to jail miscreants as coliseum fills

(NEWSER) - An estimated 150,000 clogged streets in downtown Los Angeles today as the NBA-champion Lakers took a victory lap around downtown, the Times reports. Some 80,000 more jammed the Coliseum for a rally at parade’s end. Police, hoping to avoid the looting and chaos that followed Sunday’s clinching victory over the Orlando Magic, turned out in force. More»

(NEWSER) - The Lakers captured their 15th NBA title tonight in Orlando, polishing off the Magic with a 99-86 victory that gave coach Phil Jackson his record 10th title, the Los Angeles Times reports. Last season's runners-up, the Lakers saw five players score in double figures, led by Finals MVP Kobe Bryant (30 points), who collected his fourth championship and first without Shaquille O'Neal. More»

(AP) - Orlando finally regained its Magic touch. Making easy shots and tough ones from everywhere, the Magic won their first game in two visits to the NBA finals as Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis scored 21 points apiece in a 108-104 victory over Los Angeles. The Lakers still lead the series, 2-1, and Game 4 is Thursday night. More»