3. Game 4 of the 2010 Western Conference Semi-Finals vs. Utah Jazz
While it did not happen in the NBA Finals or even the Western Conference Finals, one of Pau Gasol’s most impressive statistical games happened during the Lakers’ 2010 NBA Finals run. It did not even come in a competitive series, either, as the Lakers wept the Utah Jazz in this series.
Gasol really balled out in the final game of the sweep to help lead the Lakers to an easy 111-96 victory, the largest margin of victory that the Lakers had in the series. Once more, Gasol was the leading scorer in this game, even surpassing Kobe Bryant’s 32 points.
Gasol beat out Kobe by one point, scoring 33 on the night with 14 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Gasol just casually put together a 33 and 14 game in the deciding game of a playoff series against another great basketball team! That is insane.
MORE: Top 10 duos in Los Angeles Lakers history
Gasol went 12-18 from the field and 9-11 from the free-throw line, showcasing that as his best he was one of the most efficient scorers in the entire NBA. The Lakers would go on to play the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals, winning in six games before taking on the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals.
It will not be the last time that we talk about the 2010 NBA Finals on this list.