A Basketball Society Classic: Shaq, Kobe, Sheed, and Pippen battle to make the Finals
A warm June night, game seven, Shaq and Kobe, a young Rasheed Wallace, and Scottie Pippen. What more could you want? These were two great teams giving the fans everything they wanted. The series went back and forth as the venues switched from LA to Portland, until it all came down to one game in LA. Portland showed signs of dominance in their wins, especially in the 106-77 game 2 win, but the Shaq and Kobe duo would not be outdone on their home floor again.
This game was actually the lowest scoring game of the series, and it featured more of the heroics of Rasheed Wallace and Kobe Bryant. Shaq was still a force on defense in this contest, but he was not the same dominant offensive force. Kobe and Rasheed were the biggest performers on this night. Vintage Kobe was in full force with his electric offensive arsenal, and his perfectly timed defensive showstoppers. He was making shots from all over the court, and he even flirted with a triple-double. Meanwhile, on the opposing team, Rasheed Wallace was having himself quite an offensive game. He hit a couple threes, some turnaround jumpers, and he worked the post with efficiency. However, Sheed was the only one producing for Portland. So at the end of the game when Kobe threw the alley-oop to Shaq(which gave us the great picture below), everyone knew the Trail Blazers’ season had come to an end.
Final Score: Los Angeles Lakers 89 – Portland Trail Blazers 84
Kobe Bryant: 25pts(9-19FG, 1-4 3pt, 6-12 FT), 11reb, 7ast
Shaquille O’Neal: 18pts(5-9FG, 8-12FT), 9reb, 5ast
Rasheed Wallace: 30pts(13-26FG, 2-2 3pt, 2-5 FT), 4reb, 1ast
Scottie Pippen: 12pts(3-10FG, 2-6 3pt, 4-4FT), 10reb, 3ast
