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| | Monday, 10 June, 2002, 05:04 GMT 06:04 UK Nets left heartbroken Shaquille O'Neal is blocked by Jason Collins New Jersey 100-104 LA Lakers The LA Lakers are now one game away from the NBA Championship after a dramatic last gasp win over New Jersey Nets on Sunday. The Nets finally came to life in the series and came within a minute of securing the win they desperately needed to stay within touching distance of the defending champions.
But a three-pointer from Robert Horry and a killer twist and shoot from Kobe Bryant left the Nets disappointed. Now the Lakers only need to win game four on Wednesday to complete their third straight championship. Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were the stars of the show in a packed Continental Airlines Arena, scoring 36 and 35 points each respectively. The Lakers - participating in the first NBA finals game ever played in New Jersey - took the lead and kept it until the end of the third quarter thanks to 11 points from O'Neal. The Nets eventually levelled the game 78-78 at the end of the third quarter. And they strengthened their position at the start of the final session - twice going seven points ahead. But the Lakers battled their way back into the contest, reclaiming the lead 98-96 with three minutes to play.
LA Lakers coach Phil Jackson said afterwards: "We're a seasoned team. We know what we want to do. "We let them get a little momentum surge but we didn't panic, we kept it cool. "You can't relax in the Finals because you never know what is going to happen. "They have a couple of days to adjust now." | |
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