Basketball Fans Riot In LA After NBA Climax

Gman496

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Basketball fans rioted in Los Angeles after a dramatic climax to the NBA championship.

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A fan is held down by three police officers after trouble flares

Celebrations turned ugly when fans of winners LA Lakers began smashing windows, starting fires and attacking passing motorists.

Police clashed with crowds as rioters leapt on top of passing cars, caving in windscreens and taking mobile phone pictures of terrified motorists.

The violence erupted outside the Staples Centre after the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 83-79 to win the championship title.

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A driver panics as fans trample on the roof of his car

At least one person was badly beaten and a police officer suffered a broken nose in street fights.A cyclist was also hit by a patrol car attending the crisis.

Police fired non-lethal rounds to disperse mobs of troublemakers, as a cab was set alight and two newspaper stands ripped apart.

In nearby restaurant La Bella Cucina, customers threw bottles, overturned tables and stole alcohol.

"I think it's pretty sad, especially when customers turn on you so quickly," manager Christian La Bella said.

"They lost respect for themselves, they lost respect for the Lakers, and they lost respect for the restaurant. It's a shame for LA."

Calm was restored to the area by early morning on Friday following multiple injuries but no loss of life, police said.

At least 12 people were arrested on suspicion of crimes including public drunkenness, vandalism and inciting a riot.

The Lakers-Celtics rivalry is one of the fiercest in the NBA, with the two teams accounting for more than half of the 63 titles in NBA history prior to this season's finals.

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