Shaquille O’Neal Powers Lakers Past 76ers in Game 4 of 2001 NBA Finals
shaq-dominates-game-4-2001-nba-finals-lakers-76ers
PHILADELPHIA — On June 13, 2001, the Los Angeles Lakers moved within one win of an NBA championship, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 100-86 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Center Shaquille O’Neal led the way with 34 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, overwhelming Dikembe Mutombo and Philadelphia’s front line from the opening tip. The Lakers built a 14-point cushion by halftime and never trailed the rest of the night.
Kobe Bryant added 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists while attempting only 13 shots. Key contributions also came from the supporting cast: Derek Fisher scored 10 points and collected three steals, Robert Horry hit all three of his attempts from beyond the arc for nine points, and Ron Harper supplied eight points, four rebounds and two assists.
The victory handed Los Angeles a 3-1 series advantage. It also continued a dominant postseason in which the Lakers had swept the Western Conference and recovered quickly from a Game 1 loss to Allen Iverson’s 76ers.
Los Angeles went on to clinch its second straight title in Game 5, finishing the playoffs with the best record ever recorded at the time.
Source: Lakers Nation
