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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: Jason Collins (R) of the New Jersey Nets guards Shaquille O’Neal (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers during game two of the NBA Finals 07 June 2002 at the Stapes Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers won the game 106-83 to lead the best-of-seven game series 2-0. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Jason Collins (R) of the New Jersey Nets guards Shaquille O’Neal (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers during game two of the NBA Finals 07 June 2002 at the Stapes Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers won the game 106-83 to lead the best-of-seven game series 2-0. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty Images) /

2. June 7, 2002: Lakers vs. New Jersey Nets (Game 2)

Following a tough seven-game series against the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers had already conquered their greatest postseason foe.

Sure, the Nets lost by a slim five-point margin in the series opener, but they weren’t expected to keep the Lakers from winning it all again.

Despite trailing by 20 points, the Nets didn’t go away quietly, trimming the deficit to just six points (83-77) in the fourth quarter. However, O’Neal quickly restored order, igniting a 23-6 run to help the Lakers cruise to an easy 106-83 victory.

After registering 36 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks in Game 1, Shaq was back at it again in Game 2. He finished the contest with 40 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and a game score of 35.

Along with that, he converted 12 of his 14 attempts from the charity stripe. The Lakers would go on to take the series in four games, giving Phil Jackson the third three-peat of his coaching career.

Next: No. 1

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