CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS Best of seven games Eastern semi-finals: New Jersey 3-2 Detroit Indiana 3-2 Miami Western semi-finals: Lakers 4-2 San Antonio Minnesota 3-2 Sacramento

The Lakers lost the first two games of the series against the defending champions but stormed back to win four straight to seal their revenge.

Kobe Bryant once more led the way for the Lakers, scoring 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, while Shaquille O'Neal had 17 points, 19 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Lakers beat the Spurs 88-76.

Bryant said: "We became more aggressive defensively. We didn't let them sit in their pockets or sit in their comfort zones. In the first two games they were too comfortable."

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich agreed with Bryant, saying: "I thought that defensively (the Lakers) were wonderful.

We hung in there, shot the ball well, hit some big shots down the stretch and now we are moving on Shaquille O'Neal

"They made it tough on us in that regard obviously and that was really our demise in the series."

The Lakers will face the winner of the Minnesota-Sacramento series in the conference finals. The Timberwolves lead 3-2 with game six on Sunday in Sacramento.

The Lakers became just the eighth team in NBA history to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two games.

Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Manu Ginobili added 16 points.

Jeff Foster scored a career-high 20 points on Saturday as the Indiana Pacers took a 3-2 Eastern Conference lead over the Miami Heat.

Foster also enjoyed another personal best of 16 rebounds in the 94-83 victory.

He was ably assisted in his cause by Jermaine O'Neal, who managed 22 points and eight rebounds on the night.

We were pathetic defensively today - I have to take responsibility for that Stan van Gundy Miami Heat coach

The Pacers did enough in the third quarter to move sufficiently clear, a lead they maintained to the final hooter.

Lamar Odom was the leading scorer for the losing side, coming off court with a 14-point haul.

"I thought we played a good game," said Indiana coach Rick Carlisle. "We had some struggles early on, but we had a lot of guys step up. Jeff Foster played a critical role."

Game six will take place in Miami on Tuesday, where the Heat boast an 18-match winning streak.

And Miami coach Stan van Gundy said his side would aim to drastically improve by then.

"I obviously did not have our team prepared to play a big game five today," said van Gundy. "We were pathetic defensively today. I have to take responsibility for that."