Watch the Dec. 5 Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers game with ticket info, start time, stats and how to view information.

Nothing is given in the NBA. Winning the coveted MVP plum doesn’t guarantee an easy road to the Larry O’Brien trophy. In the dream NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics, the team from Beantown prevailed in six games. A teary-eyed Kobe walked off the TD Garden while confetti rained from the rafters.

The major storyline is Luka Dončić guiding the Lakers to a dominant win over a top-tier foe in the Western Conference, dispatching Minnesota by a final margin of 128-110. However, the Slovenian’s individual excellence is to be marveled at:

The Warriors won each of the first two rounds of the playoffs in five games, then came back from 3-1 down against the Thunder to win the Western Conference finals, setting up a rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Golden State jumped out to a 3-1 lead in that series. However, Cleveland stormed back to win its first NBA championship.

Based on Smith’s calculations, Reaves should stay with the Lakers to get the most money in free agency. Rob Pelinka could offer him around $240.7 million for five years. If he signs with any other team, the most Reaves could get would be roughly $178.4 million for four years.

Los Angeles Lakers fans are quickly beginning to understand the Marcus Smart experience that Boston Celtics fans know all too well.