5. 2001 Western Conference Semis vs. Sacramento Kings – 44 points, 21 rebounds, 7 blocks, 17-32 FG
We’ll start the game off with a team that I’m pretty sure stole Shaq’s kitten when he was younger. In his time in LA, Shaq had a sort of personal vendetta to murder the Kings every time he played them. This is one of two appearances the Kings make on this list, and they come in back-to-back season.
In this game, the Lakers were absolutely ROLLING through the playoffs. They had just completed a three-game sweep of the Portland Trailblazers, winning by 13, 18, and 13 points. They waltzed back home to Staples Center and found themselves in a war with the Kings. Fortunately for the Lakers, they had the biggest warriors. Shaq’s huge double-double and 13 fourth-quarter points was enough for the Lakers to hang on to a three-point win.
It was the closest game the team would have during their cruise through the Western Conference portion of the playoffs, yet it wasn’t even Shaq’s biggest game of the playoffs…..
Next: 2001 NBA Finals, Part 1