BOSTON, Massachusetts (AFP) — Hoisting their championship trophy before a crowd city officials estimated approached one million people, the Boston Celtics celebrated their NBA crown with a grand parade Thursday.
Two days after routing the Los Angeles Lakers 131-92 to win the best-of-seven series in six games, the Celtics toured the town on the Duck Boat tour, riding in sightseeing vehicles designed to travel on land and water.
The Celtics were the main attraction after winning the team's first title since 1986 and record 17th overall, joining baseball's Boston Red Sox and US football's New England Patriots on the thrill ride through their home area.
"I haven't gotten much sleep," Celtics captain and NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Paul Pierce said. "But this is worth every bit of it. This is great for the fans."
Players, coaches, owners and executives climbed aboard 15 Duck Boats in the morning and rolled into the streets, where throngs 20 people deep watched the hour-long journey from their home arena to City Hall to end at Copley Square, near the finish line for the Boston Marathon.
Green and white confetti showered down along the vehicles as they made their way along the streets of downtown Boston on a sunny day.
"This is unbelievable. This is incredible," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who last year took Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett on a Duck Boat tour so they could appreciate what their championship victory would mean to the city.
Fans chanted "Let's Go Celtics" and waved signs of "Sweet 17" and "We Beat L.A." along the route of the sixth title parade here since 2002 - three for the Patriots and in 2004 and last year for the Red Sox.
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