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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- The Los Angeles Lakers have won their 15th NBA championship, easily beating the Orlando Magic 99-86 to win the Finals in five games.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 30 points, six rebounds, five assists and four blocks. Bryant keyed a 16-0 Lakers run in the second quarter that propelled L.A. into a 12-point lead. The Lakers outscored Orlando 30-18 in the decisive second quarter as the Magic never mounted a serious late run.
Bryant won the MVP award in being a part of his fourth NBA championship team. This is Bryant's first title without Shaquille (shah-KEEL') O'Neal, the former Lakers center. Bryant averaged over 32 points a game in the five-game NBA Finals.
Lamar Odom came off the bench and contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds. Pau Gasol was a huge force inside with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Trevor Ariza added 14 points as one of five Lakers in double figures.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson became the all-time coaching leader with his 10th championship in 12 tries. That breaks the record held by legendary Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach, who coached 10 of the Celtics' 17 titles.
Afterward Jackson, wearing a yellow baseball cap with the Roman numeral 10 on it, called winning another title "surreal" and said he would smoke a victory cigar in honor of the late Celtics coach.
Rashard Lewis scored 18 points for the Magic, who were in the finals for only the second time.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
