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(AP) --  Kobe Bryant scored 26 points, Pau Gasol added
17 points and 13 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers emphatically
extended the NBA finals to a decisive seventh game with a 89-67
victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 .

 Ron Artest added 15 points for the Lakers, who stared down
elimination by jumping to a 22-point lead during a dazzling first
half. With remarkable ease, the defending champions stretched the
finals to the limit for the first time since 2005.

 A champion will be crowned Thursday night at Staples Center.
 Ray Allen scored 19 points for the Celtics, who took an ugly
pratfall on the verge of winning their unprecedented 18th title. It
turns out their longtime rivals are still quite serious about
earning their 16th.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)