The 2009 NBA Playoffs

Although the anticipated Kobe vs. LeBron Finals matchup didn't materialize, fans were still treated to an exciting NBA playoffs. From the epic and historic Celtics - Bulls first round series, to a live hawk flying around inside an arena delaying a game, to a nasty dunk destroying a shot clock, the playoffs were loaded with talent and close games. In the end, it was the Los Angeles Lakers who prevailed for their 15th title. ( 33 photos total)

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant holds up the Bill Russell MVP Award (right) and the Larry O'Brien Trophy as he signals his four career championship victories after defeating the Orlando Magic to win the NBA Finals in Orlando June 14. (REUTERS/Jeff Haynes)

Josh Howard (left) of the Dallas Mavericks bites his head band in front of Jason Kidd during play against the San Antonio Spurs in game four of the first round at American Airlines Center April 25 in Dallas. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) #

Will Bynum of the Detroit Pistons tries to pass to a teammate but his foot was out of bounds in front of Delonte West of the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round at the Palace of Auburn Hills April 26 in Auburn Hills, Mich. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) #

Official Dick Bavetta steps between Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat players after a hard game five foul at Philips Arena April 29 in Atlanta. (Doug Benc/Getty Images) #

Brandon Roy bows to the crowd during a rally for the Portland Trail Blazers April 16 in Portland, Ore. The Trail Blazers made the playoffs for the first time since the 2002-03 season. (AP Photo/The Oregonian, Bruce Ely) #

Spirit the Hawk lands on camera equipment over the basket after flying around the arena for the first few minutes of the game as the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks played game two of the first round at Philips Arena April 22 in Atlanta. (Doug Benc/Getty Images) #

The New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul looks up at the scoreboard in the closing minute of game five of the first round against the Denver Nuggets in Denver April 29. (REUTERS/Marc Piscotty) #

Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic warms up prior to playing the Boston Celtics in game three of the second round May 8 in Orlando. (Marc Serota/Getty Images) #

Flora Allen-Hopson holds a giant photo of her son, Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics, May 14 during the second round against the Orlando Magic in Orlando. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (left) and the Houston Rockets' Ron Artest exchange words in the second half during game two of the second-round in Los Angeles May 6. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) #

Anderson Varejao (left) of the Cleveland Cavaliers is hit in the face by Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks during game three of the second round in Atlanta May 9. (REUTERS/Pouya Dianat) #

Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks looks at the scoreboard during game four of the second round against the Denver Nuggets in Dallas May 11. (REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi) #

Boston Celtics legends Bill Russell (left) and Tommy Heinsohn enjoy a video on the scoreboard during a second round game against the Orlando Magic in Boston May 6. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) #

The Denver Nuggets dancers perform during a break in game six against the Los Angeles Lakers during the Western Conference Finals at the Pepsi Center May 29 in Denver. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) #

This viscous dunk by Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game one of the Eastern Conference Finals May 20 in Cleveland brought down the shot clock above the backboard and stopped play until officials could make repairs. (AP Photo/David Richard) #

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers slaps baby powder on his hands, a pre-game ritual, before the start of game three of the second round against the Atlanta Hawks in Atlanta May 9. (REUTERS/Pouya Dianat) #

Chris Andersen of the Denver Nuggets and Lamar Odom of the Los Angeles Lakers fight for position in the Western Conference Finals at the Pepsi Center May 29 in Denver. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) #

The Denver Nuggets' Kenyon Martin celebrates a slam dunk in game five of the second round against the Dallas Mavericks in Denver May 13. (REUTERS/Mark Leffingwell) #

The Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant defends the Denver Nuggets' Chauncey Billups during game one of the Western Conference Finals May 19 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) #

Mickael Pietrus of the Orlando Magic drives to the hoop against Mo Williams of the Cleveland Cavaliers in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena May 20 in Cleveland. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) #

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a play against the Orlando Magic in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals at Amway Arena May 30 in Orlando. (Elsa/Getty Images) #

The Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol reacts to action against the Denver Nuggets in game five of the Western Conference Finals May 27 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) #

Celebrities flock to NBA playoff games at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Clockwise from upper left to center) Director Spike Lee and actor Denzel Washington, singer Rihanna, music producer Lou Adler and actor Jack Nicholson, and hip-hop artist Sean Combs and his son Christian Combs. #

The Los Angeles Laker Girls perform behind photographers during game two of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic in Los Angeles June 7. (REUTERS/Mike Blake) #

The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard is blocked by the Los Angeles' Lakers' Pau Gasol (left) and Lamar Odom during game two of the NBA Finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles June 7. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) #

The Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol tries to get the ball to Kobe Bryant as the Orlando Magic's Mickael Pietrus defends in game three of the NBA Finals June 9 in Orlando. (AP Photo/John Raoux) #

Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a rebound against Jameer Nelson (left) and Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic in game four of the NBA Finals June 11 at Amway Arena in Orlando. (Larry W. Smith-Pool/Getty Images) #

The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives to the basket past the Orlando Magic's Marcin Gortat during game five of the NBA Finals in Orlando June 14. (REUTERS/Larry W. Smith/Pool) #

Members of the Orlando Magic look on after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in game two of the NBA Finals in Los Angeles June 7. (REUTERS/Mike Blake) #

The Orlando Magic's Jameer Nelson consoles Dwight Howard following the Magic's 99-86 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in game five of the NBA Finals June 14 in Orlando. (AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel/Gary W. Green) #

The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant screams in joy at the end of game five of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic in Orlando June 14 after winning the championship. (AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel/Roberto Gonzalez) #

Fans rejoice outside the Staples Center after the Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th NBA Championship June 14. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni) #

A group of people loot a shoe store in downtown Los Angeles June 14 after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic to win the NBA title and celebrations got out of hand. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) #

Sports

The 2009 NBA Playoffs