The 2010 NBA playoffs were one of the multiple years where the world was ready to see Kobe Bryant face LeBron James in an NBA Finals. The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers boasted the two best records in the league. However, the Boston Celtics simply weren’t going to allow that, and they defeated the Cavs in six games in the second round and ended up back in the Finals.
The Lakers had an easier path to the Finals, beating a young Oklahoma City Thunder squad in six, the Utah Jazz in a sweep, and the Phoenix Suns in six.