The Los Angeles Lakers were white hot in the spring of 2001. They won their last eight regular-season games and swept through the first three rounds of the NBA playoffs.
As they opened the NBA Finals versus the Philadelphia 76ers, many were predicting they would become the first team to run the table and go undefeated all the way to the world championship.
But when Allen Iverson erupted for 48 points in Game 1 and gave the Sixers a stunning overtime win, Los Angeles was suddenly in a virtual must-win situation for Game 2.
Kobe Bryant went 7-of-22 from the field in Game 1, and he was not going to have another bad game.
From the start of the second contest, he was aggressive. He scored a dozen points in the first quarter to help the Lakers keep pace with Philly.
Leading 49-47 at halftime, L.A. flexed in the third quarter, using its defense to set up easy transition baskets, several of which were scored or assisted on by Bryant.
His 31 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocked shots were a major reason the Lakers tied the series with a 98-89 win.
Shaquille O’Neal helped with a truly legendary outing: 28 points, 20 rebounds, nine assists and eight blocks.
Bryant was starting to prove he was a big-game player, and in some ways, the Lakers’ championship hopes were riding on this key Game 2.
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