Fansided

30 best shots in NBA Playoffs history

By John Buhler

June 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) moves the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the second half in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
June 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) moves the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the second half in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
18 of 30
Next
LOS ANGELES – MAY 9: Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers is under pressure from Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 9, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 105-81. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – MAY 9: Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers is under pressure from Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 9, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 105-81. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

13. Derek Fisher’s 0.4 Shot versus San Antonio Spurs: 2004 Western Conference Semifinals, Game  5

During the 2000s in the Western Conference, it was the Los Angeles Lakers, the San Antonio Spurs and everybody else. So of course the Lakers and the Spurs would have some classic games in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Perhaps the signature game from the rivalry series was Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals. It was a low-scoring affair that went down to the wire, ending in Derek Fisher’s 0.4 Shot to lift the Lakers to victory.

Fisher’s Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant would sink a mid-range shot with 11.6 seconds left on the clock. Spurs power forward Tim Duncan hit the presumptive game-winner with 0.4 seconds left. Did the Lakers have the time to get one last shot off to win on the road in San Antonio.

Fisher would catch-and-shoot off the in-bounds pass to lead the Lakers to an improbable split-second victory, 74-73. It was an awkward over-the-shoulder shot from the left-handed Fisher. Nine times out of 10 that shot doesn’t go in.

Los Angeles would win the series and knocks of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2004 Western Conference Finals before losing to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals. Of the Phil Jackson era, this is the greatest shot made by a backcourt player.

Home/NBA Playoffs