Upsets rocked the NBA Playoffs on Sunday, as the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and Western Conference top seed San Antonio Spurs absorbed humbling defeats against their lower seeded opponents.

Kobe Bryant scored 23 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 92-86 at TD Garden Thursday night, in what could be a preview of the 2011 NBA Finals.

The Lakers signed forward Matt Barnes and center Theo Ratliff on Thursday, giving the team two players who can boost its already formidable defense.

Bell turned down a chance to play for the Los Angeles Lakers and become a teammate of longtime nemesis Bryant, jumping instead on the opportunity to return the fold of the Utah Jazz.

Fisher said in a statement posted on his Web site that he has decided to stick with the Lakers, thanks largely to the persuading powers of Kobe Bryant.

The coach of the 2009-2010 season champion of the National Basketball Association (NBA) said that he will remain with the team.

The Los Angeles Lakers became BACK-TO-BACK NBA Champions as they defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals at STAPLES Center on Thursday. It’s the Lakers’ 16th NBA Championship, Phil Jackson’s 11th championship as a coach and Kobe Bryant’s 5th championship ring.

The Los Angeles Lakers are the 2010 NBA Champions! Lakers defeated Celtics 83-79.

Kobe Bryant scored 26 points to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 89-67 and send the NBA Finals into a seventh and deciding game.

Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Stream Game 5: The Celtics defeated the Lakers 92-86 in Game 5 of the 2010 NBA Finals. Boston leads series 3-2.