SPLIT DECISION L.A. GETS DEFENSIVE AND EVENS SERIES 1-1 LAKERS 98, PHIL. 89.Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer About the time Ron Harper
Ronald Harper (born January 20, 1964 in Dayton, Ohio) is a retired American professional basketball player whose career spanned from 1986 to 2001 with four teams in became an active player again, about the time Derek Fisher Derek Lamar Fisher (born August 9 1974 in Little Rock, Arkansas) is an American professional basketball player with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was with the Utah Jazz but asked to be released from his contract to care for his 10-month-old daughter, who has cancer. became a scoring threat again, and right around the moment when an army of Staples Center's feared redcoats escorted an Allen Iverson <noinclude></noinclude> Allen Ezail Iverson (born June 7, 1975, in Hampton, Virginia[1]), nicknamed A.I. and The Answer, is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association. right out of the building, the Lakers regained the look of authority, and the balance of a defending champion defending champion n (SPORT) → defensor/a m/f del título defending champion n (Sport) → champion(ne) en titre . It took extraordinary measures to reach that comfort zone Friday night, and some desperate measures just to puncture the Philadelphia 76ers' overdeveloped sense of survival. But with a revived backcourt, an all-out defensive assault from Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). and a dash of composure, the Lakers pulled out a 98-89 victory and tied the NBA Finals The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association. The team winning the Eastern Conference Finals earns one of the two berths in the championship round, with the other going to the team that wins the Western Conference Finals. at 1-1. And a 15-mph sigh of relief rushed through the building at the final buzzer. ``We got one,'' mused Rick Fox. ``And in our quest to win another championship, we have to get four.'' He was in midsentence when another reassuring thought hit him: ``Hey,'' Fox said, ``we can't get swept now.'' That didn't seem likely in any event, but with the series heading to Philadelphia for the next three games, the Lakers recognized Game 2 for the must-win event it was. And just about everyone on the roster responded. O'Neal blocked eight shots and flirted with a quadruple-double, finishing with 28 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists. O'Neal tied his career playoff high in blocks, as well as the NBA Finals record (shared with Bill Walton William Theodore Walton III, better known as Bill Walton (born November 5, 1952), is a former American basketball player and current television sportscaster. He is the father of current Los Angeles Lakers player Luke Walton. , Patrick Ewing Patrick Aloysius Ewing (born August 5, 1962) is a retired American professional basketball player. He played most of his career with the National Basketball Association's New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic. and Hakeem Olajuwon Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born Akeem Abdul Olajuwon on January 21, 1963) is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ), and fell one shy of the Lakers' playoff record (held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar For the football player, see . Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. on April 16, 1947) is a retired American professional basketball player and current assistant coach. ). ``Shaq was a dramatically better defensive player in this game,'' coach Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson (born September 17, 1945 in Deer Lodge, Montana) is the current coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, an American professional basketball team. said. That effort sparked the rest of the Lakers defense, which held Iverson to 23 points on 10-for-29 shooting, and the 76ers to 39.1 percent shooting overall. Which said nothing for the security guards who ushered an Iverson-jerseyed fan out of Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. in the fourth quarter. The real Answer had his difficulties scoring on Fisher and Bryant and complained afterward about a lack of foul calls (he took only four free throws, and missed them all). ``I would hope he'll get a litle more respect,'' said 76ers coach Larry Brown Larry Brown may refer to:
The Lakers' dramatic offensive resurgence was led by Fisher and Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant (born July 23 1978) is an American All-Star shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. , each of whom struggled in Game 1. Bryant found the gaps in the 76ers defense and scored a game-high 31 points to go with eight rebounds and six assists. Fisher scored 14 points and hit a critical 3-pointer down the stretch. At that point, he had outscored Iverson, 10-9, in the second half. That was a huge turnaround from Game 1, when Fisher couldn't stay in the game, went scoreless and watched Iverson score 48. ``Fish came out and held his head up and just went out and did his job,'' said Harper. ``He's a guy who knows his game.'' The Lakers had a 10-point lead late in the fourth and nearly squandered squan·der tr.v. squan·dered, squan·der·ing, squan·ders 1. To spend wastefully or extravagantly; dissipate. See Synonyms at waste. 2. it. The 76ers attacked with a full-court trap that briefly flustered flus·ter tr. & intr.v. flus·tered, flus·ter·ing, flus·ters To make or become nervous or upset. n. A state of agitation, confusion, or excitement. the Lakers and helped chop the lead to three points, 89-86, with less than 3 minutes to play. But Fisher, who minutes earlier coughed up the ball in the backcourt, hit a 3-pointer with 2:09 to play to push the lead to 92-86. When Harper, inserted by Jackson simply to settle down the offense, hit a 9-footer, the Lakers had an eight-point lead again. ``We ended up taking a game that was pretty benign and making it pretty exciting at the end,'' Jackson said. If Fisher was in search of redemption after his disappointing Game 1, he found it in one dazzling sequence late in the third quarter. He picked off an Eric Snow Eric Snow (born April 24, 1973 in Canton, Ohio) is an American professional basketball player currently with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. High School Years inbounds in·bounds adj. 1. Basketball Involving putting the ball into play by passing it from out of bounds to a teammate on the court. 2. Sports Within the designated boundaries. pass, then dashed to a fast-break dunk that electrified the building. Then another pickoff pick·off n. 1. Baseball A play in which a runner is caught off base and is put out by a quick throw, as from the pitcher or catcher. 2. Sports An interception, as in football. of Snow. And then, the shot 18,997 fans were waiting for - a 3-pointer that signaled an end to his shooting slump and pushed the Lakers lead to double-digits for the first time this series, 77-67. Fisher outscored Iverson 7-4 in the quarter. The Lakers spent 48 hours contemplating the havoc wreaked by Iverson, or about one hour per point he scored in Game 1. And their agenda Friday was clear from the start - harass him until his cornrows Cornrows are a traditional style of hair grooming of African origin where the hair is tightly braided very close to the scalp, using an underhand, upward motion to produce a continuous, raised row. wilted. Fisher again drew the assignment first, then gave way to Tyronn Lue Tyronn Jamar Lue (born on May 3, 1977 in Mexico, Missouri) is an American professional basketball player who last played with the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA in the 2006-07 season. He is currently an unrestricted free agent. and Bryant. Each of them was helped by more frequent double-teams, and Iverson scored just 11 points in the first half - 19 fewer than in Wednesday's first half - making 5 of 15 shots. Bryant quickly put to rest any worries about his game, in the wake of his substandard Game 1 performance. He attacked quickly in the first quarter, scoring 10 of the Lakers' first 16 points. He attacked the basket quickly as well, getting to the foul line foul line n. 1. Baseball Either of two straight lines extending from the rear of home plate to the outer edge of the playing field and indicating the area in which a fair ball can be hit. 2. just three minutes "Three Minutes" is the 46th episode of Lost. It is the twenty-second episode of the second season. The episode was directed by Stephen Williams, and written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. It first aired on May 17, 2006 on ABC. into the game. His only free throw in Wednesday's game on a technical foul technical foul n. Sports A foul, especially in basketball, that is called on a player, coach, or team for unsportsmanlike conduct or infringement of a rule and does not usually involve physical contact with an opponent during play. . The early results for Fisher, another Game 1 casualty, were mixed. He scored four quick points, on a layup and two free throws, but missed his next three field goal attempts and sat out the second quarter. His replacements weren't much better. Brian Shaw dished dished adj. 1. Concave. 2. Slanting toward one another at the bottom. Used of a pair of wheels. Adj. 1. dished - shaped like a dish or pan dish-shaped, patelliform concave - curving inward out four assists in 17 minutes, but missed all five of his first-half field-goal attempts, going scoreless in the half. Lue and Ron Harper - making his first appearance of the Finals - also got some early relief work. NBA FINALS: Lakers vs. 76ers GAME 3 --Where: First Union Center --When: Sinday, 4:30 p.m. --TV: Ch. 4 SERIES SCHEDULE Best-of-seven series tied 1-1 Philadelphia 107, Lakers 101 Lakers 98, Philadelphia 89 Lakers at Philadelphia, 4:30 p.m. Sunday Lakers at Philadelphia, 6 p.m. Wednesday Lakers at Philadelphia, 6 p.m. Friday Philadelphia at Lakers, 6 p.m. June 18* Philadelphia Lakers, 6 p.m. June 20* * - if necessary A CLOSER LOOK AT GAME 2 2ND CHANCE POINTS: LAKERS 9, 76ERS 15 POINTS IN PAINT: LAKERS 52, 76ERS 34 FAST-BREAK: LAKERS 25, 76ERS 9 PTS PTS put to sleep; a common euphemism for euthanasia, but also used to describe general anesthesia. . OFF TURNOVERS: LAKERS 19, 76ERS 11 HERO OF THE GAME Shaquille O'Neal barely touched the ball in the first quarter, but he stayed patient, continued to excel on defense and created opportunities for the rest of the team. Scoring is nice, but 20 rebounds, nine assists and eight blocks are the sign of a dominant force. GOAT OF THE GAME Allen Iverson can't be a magician every night, and when he has an off game and nobody else steps up, the 76ers are extremely vulnerable. Iverson missed two free throws late in the fourth quarter that would have cut the Lakers' lead to three points. LOOK AHEAD The 76ers can leave town proud of their split, and despite what Phil Jackson says, this was a must-win game for the Lakers. If they win in Game 3 in front of a rabid Philadelphia crowd, the Lakers will be in good shape. SERIES AT A GLANCE Series tied 1-1 Game 1: Philadelphia 107, Lakers 101 Game 2: Lakers 98, Philadelphia 89 Game 3: Sunday at Philadelphia, 4:30 p.m. Game 4: Wednesday at Philadelphia, 6 p.m. Game 5: Friday at Philadelphia, 6 p.m. Game 6: June 18 at Lakers, 6 p.m.* Game 7: June 20 at Lakers, 6 p.m.* * - if necessary KEY TO THE GAME The Lakers were able to defend Allen Iverson without fouling him, unless you ask Larry Brown. Iverson didn't get great looks from 3-point range (he made 3 of 10) and didn't get to the free-throw line until late in the fourth quarter. KEY MATCHUP Philadelphia used a trio of big men to try to contain Shaquille O'Neal, but O'Neal's ability to kick the ball out to the perimeter for jumpers eliminates the effectiveness of double-teaming. Of course, that doesn't work unless the Lakers make those shots. QUARTER-BY-QUARTER BREAKDOWN FIRST Another quick start for the Lakers, partially because Allen Iverson misses his first four attempts from the field. Question: When Shaquille O'Neal shoots free throws in a penalty situation, which team is being penalized pe·nal·ize tr.v. pe·nal·ized, pe·nal·iz·ing, pe·nal·iz·es 1. To subject to a penalty, especially for infringement of a law or official regulation. See Synonyms at punish. 2. ? Dikembe Mutombo leaves with two fouls with 3:22 left, but the Lakers settle for jumpers and don't try to pound the ball inside. Lakers 25, 76ers 24 SECOND The Lakers seem to think they are playing Pop-A-Shot, where the object is to put up shots as quickly as possible. O'Neal is forced to get the majority of his touches on offensive rebounds. Amazingly, the Lakers make a six-point run when Mutombo returns midway through the quarter and pull within one. Lakers 49, 76ers 47 THIRD The Lakers of those first three playoff sweeps slowly break through. Kobe Bryant calms down after his frantic start and is more under control and effective. O'Neal totals an amazing five blocks in the quarter and Derek Fisher, run ragged trying to defend Iverson, comes through with a dunk and a 3-pointer (finally!) and the Lakers close with a 17-6 run. Lakers 77, 76ers 67 FOURTH O'Neal picks up his fifth foul and the Lakers' lead slowly erodes because the 76ers don't quit like the Spurs did. A Mutombo turnaround makes it 89-86 with 2:25 left, but Fisher answers with a huge 3-pointer to bury those Game 1 demons Demons See also devil; evil; ghosts; hell; spirits and spiritualism. ademonist one who denies the existence of the devil or demons. bogyism, bogeyism recognition of the existence of demons and goblins. , and the 76ers. Bryant and Iverson spend the final minute jawing at each other. Lakers 98, 76ers 89 - Rich Hammond CAPTION(S): 17 photos, 6 boxes Photo: (1 -- color) Shaquille O'Neal blocks a shot by Eric Snow in the third quarter. His eight blocks tied an NBA Finals record. John Lazar/Staff Photographer (2) After a dismal Game 1, Kobe Bryant answered with 31 points, six assists and a solid defensive effort against Allen Iverson. Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer (3) SHAQUILLE O'NEAL CENTER Stayed patient despite lack of early touches; brilliant all-around game. Grade: A+ (4) KOBE BRYANT GUARD Too eager to prove himself early, but ballhandling much improved from Game 1. Grade: A (5) HORACE GRANT FORWARD Robert Horry is a much more effective power forward against quick 76ers. Grade: B- (6) DEREK FISHER GUARD Much better against Allen Iverson, and even hit some big shots this time. Grade: A- (7) RICK FOX FORWARD Early foul trouble made him a nonfactor when Lakers needed defensive help. Grade: D (8) ROBERT HORRY FORWARD Typically solid defense and created good offensive chances with mobility. Grade: A- (9) DIKEMBE MUTOMBO CENTER Lakers figured out how to get around his tremendous wingspan, sort of. Grade: B- (10) ALLEN IVERSON GUARD Nobody can be spectacular every night, but he didn't come through in the clutch. Grade: B (11) AARON MCKIE GUARD Outstanding effort considering he probably shouldn't even be walking. Grade: B (12) TYRONE HILL FORWARD Foul trouble prevented him from doing much of anything defensively. Grade: C- (13) JUMAINE JONES FORWARD What's the point of starting him instead of Eric Snow? Grade: C (14) TODD MACCULLOCH CENTER First Matt Geiger, now him? What is it with these nobody 76ers big men? Grade: B+ (15) TOP GUNS BRYANT: 31 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists (16) IVERSON: 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists (17) no caption (Allen Iverson) Box: (1) NBA FINALS: Lakers vs. 76ers(see text) (2) SERIES SCHEDULE (see text) (3) NBA FINALS 2001: A CLOSER LOOK AT GAME 2 (see text) (4) SERIES AT A GLANCE (see text) (5) QUARTER-BY-QUARTER BREAKDOWN (see text) (6) NBA FINALS 2001: GAME RECAP |
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