3.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
April 28, 2002-Western Conference First Round: Game 3
The Lakers were on a quest for their third straight NBA title, and they were a team on a mission. The Lakers were already up two games to none, and they headed to Portland to complete the sweep in front of a hostile crowd. The Lakers already a veteran team with two championships under their belt knew they had to put the Blazers away in Game 3, but Portland had other plans. The game would go down to the wire, and the Lakers would have to be rescued by a familiar hero. With about 10 seconds left in the game and down by two points, Kobe Bryant would receive the in-bounds pass and drive to the bucket. The defense collapsed on Bryant and he kicked the rock to the corner where Robert Horry was locked and loaded. Horry would hit the three in front of the Blazer’s bench, and give the Lakers a one point lead and the eventual win.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fe9KqCIJ5A&feature=related
2. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
April 14, 2004
The Los Angeles Lakers had added Karl Malone and Gary Payton to an already impressive roster, but with the addition of two future Hall of Fame players an NBA title seemed all but inevitable. The Lakers were battling the Sacramento Kings for the Pacific Division title and higher seeding in the Western Conference. Facing a familiar enemy, the Lakers were trying to get to win to secure the number two seed in the west. Just like any other trip to the Rose Garden, the game would be a nail biter. At the end of regulation, down by three and with time expiring, Kobe would silence the Portland fans by hitting an amazing three pointer to send the game into overtime.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P47mXVAVdU&feature=related
That would be enough to merit this being an exciting match-up, but Kobe had more in store. In double overtime the Lakers were down by two points with a single second left on the clock. Gary Payton would hit Kobe in stride for a quick catch ad shoot behind the arc, and it hit nothing but the bottom of the net. Not only giving the Lakers the victory, but more importantly the Pacific Division title and the second seed in the playoffs.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apKWYzH68q8&feature=related
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