Ok, so Kobe doesn’t need Shaq. And Dwight Howard is going to have to work a lot harder to get one of those puppets.

Bryant scored 30 points while grabbing six rebounds, dishing out five assists, and blocking four shots leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-86 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, and the franchise’s 15th NBA championship, per the Los Angeles Times (@LATimessports).

The win gives Lakers coach Phil Jackson 10 titles all-time, breaking a tie with former Celtric great Red Auerbach. Bryant was named the Finals MVP, while Pau Gasol scored 14 points and coralled 15 rebounds.

Here’s the Twitter reaction on the Lakers:

1. 
   jdigsby Well, for what it’s worth, congrats Lakers. It was almost a good series. 15 Jun 2009 from Twitterrific
2. 
   myniniluv I’m happy that the hate is over and they can do nothing but give props to the best team in the NBA for 2009…Congrats Lakers! 15 Jun 2009 from web
3. 
   xFARTER Lakers deserve it. They played so much better. Disappointed in the magic 15 Jun 2009 from txt
4. 
   ottocedeno @nickmiller23 how does that championship taste baby?? Loving my @lakers ! 15 Jun 2009 from TwitterBerry
5. 
   DaddyJ58 Congratulations Lakers!!! Although i was rooting for the Magic, LA & Phil Jackson have done it again!! Kobe MVP! 15 Jun 2009 from Twikini
6. 
   jworkcoo Congrats to the Lakers…Being a Cavs Fan, I can truly say the best team won….. 15 Jun 2009 from PockeTwit

Orlando got their third home game in a row, but could not overcome in the franchise’s second ever NBA Finals.

The Twitterverse had some irreverent thoughts on the Magic:

1. 
   PJButta Hello UPS. I’d like to send a box of Orlando Magic Champion shirts to Nigeria. Thanks. LAAAAKERRRSSS 15 Jun 2009 from TwitterFon
2. 
   igamebank Still not a Kobe fan but he’s remarkable. Orlando needs to re-tool their inside game. I wish it had been a better game. http://ff.im/3YYMC 15 Jun 2009 from FriendFeed
3. 
   cedes Respect to Dwight Howard and Orlando for making it this far as a young team. And Congrats as eastern conference champs! 15 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   BombayGunrunner Can we just erase the last 5 games of the NBA Finals and start over with the Cavs? Orlando maybe be the most disappointing losers ever. No? 15 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   jdesignz Orlando Magic = Not yet ready to be champions. Congratulations @Lakers and 2009 NBA MVP Kobe Bryant! 15 Jun 2009 from TwitterFox

Orlando fans were excited for Game 5, but the team?...

(Twitpic by @agbrown22)

L.A. guard Derek Fischer gets in some work before Game 5

(Twitpic by @duranla)

Would this matchup have been any different had LeBron and the Cavs been in it? What do you think about Kobe? Comment below or tweet your thoughts to @BTsports!

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