![]() The game is tied at 100 with 8 seconds left. Kobe picks up his fifth foul with 8 seconds left and Bibby makes both free throws (they are now 16-30 from the line). With 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Kings find themselves down two and the ball. Scot Pollard, who is 6'11'', was overmatched by Shaq (and no fault in that, most were). Most importantly, he was the only guy on the roster who had a chance at minimizing the power of the 7'1'', 300-plus pound Shaq. And with Stojakovic not himself (he air balled a wide open three with 13 seconds left in the fourth) and Christie having an off night from the floor, he was vitally important to alleviate some of the pressure on Webber and Bibby. The 7'1'' Divac wasn't the most talented player on the Kings roster, but he was key to what the Kings liked to do pass out the high post. Bryant goes to the line and misses one of his two free throws, much to the glee, and possibly the result of, that Arco crowd. He finishes the game with 15 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes. What happens next likely seals the fate of these beloved Kings.ĭivac fouls out diving with Bryant for a loose ball. Moments later, after tying the game at 96 on an offensive rebound and put back, Divac comes back down the floor and locks down Robert Horry on the perimeter yes, Vlade with the superb perimeter defense. With 1:40 left, the Kings take a 94-93 lead. If this were a movie, the sounds of a suspense score would be slowly increasing, and it likely is in the minds of the 17,000-plus who can't help but stand. Throughout the fourth, the Kings just can't seem to get closer than within a point. The 61-21 Kings against the back-to-back Shaq and Kobe champs. The runs level out and the game morphs into the blow-by-blow heavy weight match it is meant to be. The tension builds during the fourth quarter, as it should considering the stakes. Webber was asked what the moment meant for him, the fans and the franchise. Kings sharp shooter Peja Stojakovic was nursing a sprained right ankle, but still suited up coming off the bench. The cowbells were ringing at peak levels just for Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, who had brought his squad together that morning with the team psychologist for a meditation session. This Kings franchise was on the cusp of its first NBA Finals appearance in the Sacramento era, after all. Leading into this Game 7 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals, you could feel the energy inside Arco Arena through the screen, which likely seeped out onto that sprawling parking lot (watch the first two minutes of the video below and tune out the commentary and just listen to that crowd). ![]() They finish the quarter hitting one of two free throws. The Kings could use a lot more of their sixth man Bobby Jackson during this lull, but head coach Rick Adelman chooses to sit him until the final seconds.ĭespite the run by the Lakers, the Kings still find themselves up by 74-73 after three. ![]() They are now 9/19 from the free throw line. The ball movement and free flowing offense stalls. ![]() The Kings have lost their offensive flow and with 3:34 left in the quarter, they give up a 15-5 run. Suddenly, the Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant, begin imposing their will and Divac is forced to the bench with foul trouble. Later in the third, the Lakers put together a run and pull to within three. For the moment, the growing pile of missed free throws is forgotten. The Kings are playing smart basketball and extend their lead to 61-54. He finds one in Chris Webber who drives to the basket, draws two defenders and dumps a bounce pass back off to him for a clear path dunk. Following a missed shot by Hedo Turkoglu, Divac snags the rebound and instead of throwing it back out to the perimeter for a guard, scans for cutters. ![]()
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