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Los Angeles Lakers: Shaquille O’Neal’s Top 5 Finals Performances

By James D. Tillman III

AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers challenges long-time basketball fan James Goldstein during questions prior to practicing for game five of the NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons 14 June 2004 at The Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. O'Neal said he would cut Goldstein's hair if the Lakers win the best-of-seven series which the Pistons lead 3-1. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers challenges long-time basketball fan James Goldstein during questions prior to practicing for game five of the NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons 14 June 2004 at The Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. O'Neal said he would cut Goldstein's hair if the Lakers win the best-of-seven series which the Pistons lead 3-1. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Los Angeles Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal (R) clashes with Philadelphia 76ers’ Dikembe Mutombo during the first quarter of NBA Finals, Game 1, at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, 06 June 2001. AFP PHOTO / JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Los Angeles Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal (R) clashes with Philadelphia 76ers’ Dikembe Mutombo during the first quarter of NBA Finals, Game 1, at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, 06 June 2001. AFP PHOTO / JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images) /

3. June 6, 2001: Lakers vs. Sixers (Game 1)

Coming into this Finals series against the Sixers, not only were the Lakers the prohibitive favorites, they were expected to sweep their counterpart in four games.

The lofty expectations were supported by the fact that the Lakers had reeled off 19 consecutive wins, including victories in their first 11 games of the postseason. Furthermore, they were the defending champions and the Sixers just didn’t have the same level of talent to put it nicely.

But this is why they play the games, right?

Both teams would relinquish double-digit leads. The Lakers jumped out to an early 18-5 advantage before watching the Sixers take a 56-50 edge into intermission.

Meanwhile, the Sixers built a 73-58 lead in the third quarter before settling for 94-94 tie going into overtime. Behind O’Neal’s 44-point, 20-rebound effort, the Lakers appeared to be heading toward their 20th straight win after scoring the first five points in the extra session.

However, the Sixers scored 13 of the game’s final 15 points — including seven straight by Allen Iverson — who hit this beautiful jumper over Tyronn Lue.

That shot gave the Sixers a 103-99 lead and they would go on to win the game 107-101. However, the Lakers responded with four straight wins to close out the postseason with an impressive 15-1 mark.

This outing was the third time that O’Neal scored at least 40 points and grabbed 20 rebounds during that playoff run.

Next: No. 2

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