Celtics capture 1st NBA crown in 22 yrs with historic rout of Lakers

BOSTON: An overwhelming Boston Celtics squad humiliated the Los Angeles Lakers 131-92 on Tuesday, capturing their first National Basketball Association title since 1986 in record-shattering fashion.

In claiming the best-of-seven NBA Finals four games to two, the Celtics took a record 17th league crown by humbling the Lakers in the second-most lopsided blowout in NBA Finals history, the worst rout in any title-clinching game.

Kevin Garnett scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Ray Allen added 26 points while Rajon Rondo contributed 21 points and six steals and Paul Pierce added 17 points and 10 assists in one of the all-time devastating NBA efforts.