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L.A. on verge of repeat

Defending champs take a 3-1 series lead behind Shaq O'Neal's 34 points in a 100-86 win over the 76ers.

©Associated Press

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 14, 2001

PHILADELPHIA -- Shaquille O'Neal, flashing a wide grin, continued his dominance on the inside with 34 points as the Lakers defeated the 76ers 100-86 Wednesday night in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

In the first blowout of the series, O'Neal staked out his territory under the basket and helped the defending champions to a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Lakers set themselves up for a chance to clinch a second straight championship Friday night.

O'Neal's inside play helped the Lakers open a 10-point first-quarter lead when the 76ers missed seven straight shots. When the 76ers cut it to four in the second quarter, three straight three-pointers by reserves Robert Horry, Ron Harper and Tyronn Lue spurred a 20-7 run that built a 51-37 halftime lead.

Then Kobe Bryant scored eight in a 10-2 Lakers run that opened the lead to 22 points in the third quarter at 70-48.

The 76ers faced a must-win situation for the third straight series and when the Lakers went on an 11-0 run in the first quarter, Philadelphia rushed defensive specialist George Lynch into the game. Lynch broke his left foot on May 13 and had not played since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal against Toronto.

When Philadelphia cut into the lead in the second quarter, the Lakers reserves responded. Harper, Horry and Lue scored 14 straight and opened the lead to as many as 17 points (46-29).

O'Neal had 30 points after three quarters.

Philadelphia had rallied from 2-1 deficits in the past two playoff series against Milwaukee and Toronto.

Only this time it was with a title on the line against the Lakers, who had won six straight playoff games on the road, one short of the record set by the Rockets in 1995.

Allen Iverson, the league's MVP, shrugged off his team's adversity as the 76ers approached Game 4.

"I hope everybody's confident," he said. "I am."

But Iverson missed 10 of 14 first-half shots.

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