7. 2010 Western Conference Finals Game 5: Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
Fresh off winning their first NBA Championship in six years and their first in the post-Shaquille O’Neal era, the Lakers were hoping to repeat as champions during the 2009-10 season. However, before the Lakers even had a shot to do that, they had their hands full in the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns. With the series tied at two games apiece, the Lakers entered a pivotal Game 5 on their home floor with championship weight on their shoulders.
With just 3.5 seconds left in the game, as you would predict, the Lakers went to Kobe Bryant to try and hit a game-winner. Kobe was forced into a tough shot by the Suns swarming defense but thankfully Ron Artest found himself at the right place at the right time. Artest got the offensive rebound and went straight back up as the buzzer went off to give the Lakers the Game 5 win and, most importantly, a 3-2 series lead over the Suns.
The Lakers would carry that momentum from Game 5 into Game 6 on the road to close out the series and clinch a spot in the NBA Finals for the third-straight season.