LA Lakers Beat Orlando Magic for NBA Title and LA Fans Riot Outside the Staple Center … 25 Arrested

What would have happened if the Lakers lost?

Last night the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game 5 of the NBA finals to win their 15th Championship, four games to one. However, outside the Staple Center, home of the Lakers, fans rioted, damaged police cars and threw rocks in celebration.

June 14: Los Angeles Lakers fans break the windshield and try to
flip a police car while celebrating their team’s victory in the NBA Finals. (AP)

Hundreds celebrated in the streets outside Staples Center after the Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA title win Sunday night, with some revelers damaging police cruisers, throwing rocks and bottles at officers and setting bonfires in the street, authorities said.

About 25 people were arrested, most part of a rowdy crowd that split off on to surrounding streets after police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly, officer Karen Rayner said.

I guess it was a good thing that the Lakers won. Imagine what would have occurred from their fans if they had lost? What would have occurred, would they have burned down the city? Oh, and by the way, the game was actually played in Florida. Also, the game was not broadcast at The Staple Center as in previous years in an attempt to avoid trouble that had happened in past years.

Aerial television footage showed people jumping on a police car, rocking vehicles attempting to pass through the crowd, setting small trees on fire and throwing fireworks and flares set up by police. No injuries were reported.

A gas station was looted and several cars, buses and a news van were vandalized, police said.

LA law enforcement had been prepared and on heightened alert as a matter of precaution. According to police, they had no reason to expect unrest. I guess they might want to rethink that policy in the future.

Both the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will have extra officers on the streets watching for celebrations getting out of control. Officials said that they have no reason to expect unrest, but that they want to be prepared.

UPDATE I: From Michelle Malkin, what a great comparison. While fans riot and loot LA after Laker victory … Iranian youth risked their lives to protest election fraud.