The 14 greatest playoff games in Lakers franchise history

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson (L) talks to Kobe Bryant (R) and Derek Fisher (C) during their game against the Sacramento Kings 02 June 2002, during the second half of game seven of the Western Conference Finals at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, CA. The Lakers won the game 112-106 and will take on the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals starting 05 June. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant drives (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) /

12. 2004 NBA Finals Game 2: Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons

In retrospect, the 2004 NBA Finals was ultimately the end of a great run for the Los Angeles Lakers, but at the moment the hope was that the team could muster one more NBA Championship out of a deteriorating Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal relationship.

After losing Game 1 on their home floor, the pressure of a dynasty was on the Lakers heading into Game 2 against the upstart Detroit Pistons.

Even though the end was near for the Lakers, Kobe created one more memory for the die-hard fans. When the team needed it most, Kobe put the Lakers on his shoulders and hit a monstrous 3-pointer with Richard Hamilton draped all over him from the left-center of the key. The shot sent the game to overtime which was ultimately dominated by Los Angeles.

Kobe and Shaq combined to score 62 points for the Lakers in what ended up being one final gasp of a historic run.

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