Lakers beat Heat to win record-tying 17th NBA title

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are NBA champions again, as the team defeated the Miami Heat 106-93 in Game 6 of the NBA finals on Sunday night, winning the best-of-seven series 4-2.

It's the 17th title for the franchise, tying the Lakers with the Boston Celtics for the most all time in NBA history.

This was the Lakers' first NBA title since 2010, when the late Kobe Bryant won his fifth and final NBA title. Bryant, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, died in a helicopter crash in January.

It's the fourth championship for James, who previously won two titles with the Heat (2012 and 2013) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016).

James was named NBA finals MVP on Sunday, the fourth time he has received this honor. He finished with a triple-double of 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists on Sunday night.

"For me to be a part of such a historical franchise is an unbelievable feeling, not only for myself but for my teammates, for the organization, for the coaches, for the trainers, everybody that's here," the 35-year-old James said.

Anthony Davis added 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers while veteran Rajon Rondo, who won a title with the Celtics in 2008, scored 19 points off the bench. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 17 and Danny Green scored 11.

Los Angeles was on fire in the first half, storming to a 64-36 lead going into the break. The Heat pulled off a late surge but simply had no answer for the knockout blow Los Angeles delivered in the first half.

Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 25 points and 10 rebounds and Jimmy Butler and Jae Crowder added 12 apiece.

TV BRICS reports with reference to Xinhua News Agency.


Photo: Xinhua News Agency