With their backs against the wall, the Lakers played with a sense of urgency in blowing out the Celtics, 89-67.

LA’s defense held Boston to shot a series-low 33.3% and only Utah’s infamous 54-point performance against Chicago in 1998 was worse.

Kobe Bryant finishing with a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds finally had some help from team mates as Pau Gasol nearly tallied a triple-double, posting 17 points, 13 rebounds and a playoff career-high nine assists while Ron Artest chipped in with 15 points.

Boston’s Ray Allen had a team-high 19 points. Pierce added 13 and Kevin Garnett 12. Rondo finished with 10 points but missed 10-of-15 shots.

To add to their woes, their center Kendrick Perkins went down with an injury while trying to snag an offensive rebound with 5:30 to play in the first quarter.

Check out the Game 6 recap video below:

NOTE: The Lakers improved to 10-1 in the postseason at Staples Center, while the Celtics dropped to 3-4 in closeout playoff games this season—including 0-3 on the road. Boston had nine chances to finish a playoff series away from home in the past three postseasons, but has been successful only once.

The Lakers and Celtics have played a Game 7 four times in their 11 previous finals meetings, with Boston winning all four. But it hasn’t happened since 1984—and it hasn’t happened to Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers are hoping to become just the seventh team in NBA history to come from behind to win a championship after facing a 3-2 deficit.

There hasn’t been a winner-take-all finals game since San Antonio finished off Detroit five years ago, and Thursday’s Game 7 will be the 17th in NBA history. The Spurs’ victory over the Pistons was the first Game 7 since 1994, when the Houston Rockets capped a comeback with two home victories over the New York Knicks and their point guard, Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson will also be appearing in his first ever NBA Finals Game 7.

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Watch the 2010 NBA Finals online and don’t miss Game 7 of the Lakers vs Celtics LIVE stream on Thursday, June 17 at 9 PM.

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Tags: 2010 NBA finals, boston celtics, kobe bryant, la lakers