5 NBA Champions who got embarrassed in NBA Playoffs
2. Western Conference Finals 2000, Game Two
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
| Lakers | 23 | 22 | 8 | 24 | 77 |
| Trail Blazers | 22 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 106 |
The Los Angeles Lakers seemed certain to win a champions at some point. Shaquille O’Neal was the single most dominant figure in the league and destined for a return trip to the Finals. Kobe Bryant was a coming storm on the perimeter, but still a little young.
There would be battles before winning the championship.
The breakthrough eventually came against the Portland Trail Blazers. The series reached its climax with a stirring 15-point comeback in Game Seven.
But it was never a sure thing. Portland had a veteran team and it felt like it was that team’s turn to win. The Lakers were still lying in waiting but still in need of some development.
This was the series Los Angeles would make its mark.
Early in the series though, Portland took control and made a huge statement.
The Blazers came into Staples Center and won by 29 points in Game Two. Rasheed Wallace scored 29 points with Scottie Pippen contributing 21 and Steve Smith adding 24. Yes, the veteran Blazers were looking like the better team.
And the soon-to-be champion Lakers got 23 points from O’Neal and just 12 points from Bryant. The Lakers scored only eight points in the third quarter. Portland scored 28 points and put a grip on the series.
Until that fourth quarter in Game Seven.
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