Overview
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers four games to one in the best-of-seven NBA Finals series to conclude the 2000-01 NBA season. It was the second of three consecutive titles for the Lakers. This was the sixth time these two franchises met in the NBA Finals, including a pair of meetings when the Lakers were in Minneapolis and the 76ers were the Syracuse Nationals.
The Lakers entered this series having won all 11 of their playoff games in 2001. They were just the second team to go 11-0 in the conference playoffs, joining the 1988-89 Lakers, who were actually swept in the NBA Finals by the Detroit Pistons.
Shaquille O'Neal was named Finals MVP, winning the award for the second time in his career. He became the seventh player in NBA history to win multiple Finals MVPs (later joined by Tim Duncan).
The Lakers had home-court advantage for the Finals. The two teams split their regular-season meetings in 2000-01, with each team winning on its home court.
The Lakers entered this series having won all 11 of their playoff games in 2001. They were just the second team to go 11-0 in the conference playoffs, joining the 1988-89 Lakers, who were actually swept in the NBA Finals by the Detroit Pistons.
Shaquille O'Neal was named Finals MVP, winning the award for the second time in his career. He became the seventh player in NBA history to win multiple Finals MVPs (later joined by Tim Duncan).
The Lakers had home-court advantage for the Finals. The two teams split their regular-season meetings in 2000-01, with each team winning on its home court.
Road to the Finals
| Team | 76ers | Lakers |
| Regular Season | 56-26, 1st in Atlantic Division | 56-26, 1st in Pacific Division |
| First Round | Def. (8) Indiana Pacers, 3-1 | Def. (7) Portland Trail Blazers, 3-0 |
| Conference Semifinals | Def. (5) Toronto Raptors, 4-3 | Def. (3) Sacramento Kings, 4-0 |
| Conference Finals | Def. (2) Milwaukee Bucks, 4-3 | Def. (1) San Antonio Spurs, 4-0 |
Game 1 - 76ers 107, Lakers 101 (OT)
The Lakers entered the series having won 19 consecutive games dating back to the regular season, and scored the first five points in the overtime session, but the 76ers came back, scoring 13 of the game's final 15 points to take Game 1. Allen Iverson, the 2000-01 NBA MVP, led the way for the 76ers, scoring 48 points, including seven during Philadelphia's decisive run to end the game.
The Lakers jumped out to an 18-5 lead early in the game, before Iverson took over. He had 38 points in the first two and a half quarters of the game, giving Philadelphia a 15-point lead, before the Lakers turned to Tyronn Lue to slow Iverson down. Lue limited the MVP to just three points in the fourth quarter, but couldn't keep up the pace in overtime. Iverson ended a run of seven consecutive points by hitting a step-back jumper over Lue, who fell down trying to defend the play. Iverson then stepped over Lue on his way back down to the defensive end of the court.
Shaquille O'Neal had a dominating performance in a losing effort for the Lakers, registering 44 points and 20 rebounds. O'Neal and Iverson became just the third set of opponents to each score 40 points in a Finals game. O'Neal could have scored more, but missed 12 free throws (in 22 attempts). Kobe Bryant, who entered this game averaging 31.6 points in the postseason, shot 7-for-22, scored 15 points and committed six turnovers. Derek Fisher, who had been averaging 15.1 points per game, was held scoreless, missing four shots.
When the NBA ranked the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments in conjunction with the league's 60th anniversary, Philadelphia's Game 1 win ranked No. 53 on the list.
The Lakers jumped out to an 18-5 lead early in the game, before Iverson took over. He had 38 points in the first two and a half quarters of the game, giving Philadelphia a 15-point lead, before the Lakers turned to Tyronn Lue to slow Iverson down. Lue limited the MVP to just three points in the fourth quarter, but couldn't keep up the pace in overtime. Iverson ended a run of seven consecutive points by hitting a step-back jumper over Lue, who fell down trying to defend the play. Iverson then stepped over Lue on his way back down to the defensive end of the court.
Shaquille O'Neal had a dominating performance in a losing effort for the Lakers, registering 44 points and 20 rebounds. O'Neal and Iverson became just the third set of opponents to each score 40 points in a Finals game. O'Neal could have scored more, but missed 12 free throws (in 22 attempts). Kobe Bryant, who entered this game averaging 31.6 points in the postseason, shot 7-for-22, scored 15 points and committed six turnovers. Derek Fisher, who had been averaging 15.1 points per game, was held scoreless, missing four shots.
When the NBA ranked the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments in conjunction with the league's 60th anniversary, Philadelphia's Game 1 win ranked No. 53 on the list.
Game 2 - Lakers 98, 76ers 89
Shaquille O'Neal had his second consecutive dominating performance, this time coming in a winning effort as the Lakers tied the series at one game apiece. O'Neal finished with 28 points, 20 rebounds, nine assists and matched the NBA Finals record with eight blocks. However, after O'Neal picked up his fifth foul, the 76ers turned a 13-point deficit into a three-point deficit, before O'Neal came back in and the Lakers cemented the win.
In addition to O'Neal, the Lakers got a big game from Kobe Bryant, who finished with 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Derek Fisher scored 14 points and did a better job containing Allen Iverson than he did in Game 1.
Iverson was held to 23 points in the loss and missed all four of his free throw attempts. The 76ers got balanced scoring, with four other players scoring at least 12 points.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, O'Neal's performance ranked No. 37 on the list.
In addition to O'Neal, the Lakers got a big game from Kobe Bryant, who finished with 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Derek Fisher scored 14 points and did a better job containing Allen Iverson than he did in Game 1.
Iverson was held to 23 points in the loss and missed all four of his free throw attempts. The 76ers got balanced scoring, with four other players scoring at least 12 points.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, O'Neal's performance ranked No. 37 on the list.
Game 3 - Lakers 96, 76ers 91
Despite Shaquille O'Neal fouling out with more than two minutes left, the Lakers were able take over down the stretch thanks to the heroics of Robert Horry. The Lakers forward scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, including a key 3-pointer with 47 seconds left, to give the Lakers a 2-1 series lead.
O'Neal, Horry and Kobe Bryant combined for 77 of the Lakers' 96 points. Bryant had 16 of his 32 points in the second quarter, when the Lakers took the lead for good. O'Neal finished with 30 points and 12 rebounds, and after the game, he was highly critical of the defensive style of 76ers center Dikembe Mutombo, who he claimed was flopping.
Allen Iverson scored 14 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter to help the 76ers cut into a deficit, but could never get Philadelphia over the top. Mutombo added 23 points and 12 rebounds.
O'Neal, Horry and Kobe Bryant combined for 77 of the Lakers' 96 points. Bryant had 16 of his 32 points in the second quarter, when the Lakers took the lead for good. O'Neal finished with 30 points and 12 rebounds, and after the game, he was highly critical of the defensive style of 76ers center Dikembe Mutombo, who he claimed was flopping.
Allen Iverson scored 14 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter to help the 76ers cut into a deficit, but could never get Philadelphia over the top. Mutombo added 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Game 4 - Lakers 100, 76ers 86
In their most dominating victory of the series, the Lakers jumped out in front early and led by 18 points entering the fourth quarter before cruising to a 14-point win. The 76ers got as close as seven points in the fourth quarter, but never seriously challenged the Lakers' lead.
Shaquille O'Neal led the way with 34 points and 14 rebounds, while Kobe Bryant came up one assist shy of a triple-double (19 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists). The Lakers made 10 3-pointers, including three from Game 3 hero Robert Horry.
Allen Iverson had 35 points to lead the 76ers, but shot just 12-of-30 from the field. Philadelphia struggled with its ball movement, getting assists on just 15 of its 33 field goals.
Shaquille O'Neal led the way with 34 points and 14 rebounds, while Kobe Bryant came up one assist shy of a triple-double (19 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists). The Lakers made 10 3-pointers, including three from Game 3 hero Robert Horry.
Allen Iverson had 35 points to lead the 76ers, but shot just 12-of-30 from the field. Philadelphia struggled with its ball movement, getting assists on just 15 of its 33 field goals.
Game 5 - Lakers 108, 76ers 96
The Lakers completed the most dominating single-season playoff run in NBA history, finishing off the 76ers in five games. In Game 5, the Lakers made 12 3-pointers to hold off any serious challenges from the 76ers. The final basket of the game came when Rick Fox attempted an alley-oop pass to Shaquille O'Neal, but the pass went in the basket for three points.
The Lakers became the first Western Conference team to win back-to-back titles since the Rockets did it in 1994 and 1995. Phil Jackson became the first coach to win back-to-back titles with two different teams. This was the 20th consecutive playoff series Jackson won, an NBA record. The Lakers finished the postseason 15-1, eclipsing the 1982-83 76ers (12-1) for the best win percentage in a single postseason.
O'Neal, the series MVP, led the way again with 29 points and 13 rebounds. Kobe Bryant had 26 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, despite boos raining down on him for the third consecutive game. Fox finished with 20 points.
Allen Iverson scored 37 points to lead the 76ers, and left the court to chants of "MVP" when he was taken out of the game with 40.3 seconds left.
The Lakers became the first Western Conference team to win back-to-back titles since the Rockets did it in 1994 and 1995. Phil Jackson became the first coach to win back-to-back titles with two different teams. This was the 20th consecutive playoff series Jackson won, an NBA record. The Lakers finished the postseason 15-1, eclipsing the 1982-83 76ers (12-1) for the best win percentage in a single postseason.
O'Neal, the series MVP, led the way again with 29 points and 13 rebounds. Kobe Bryant had 26 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, despite boos raining down on him for the third consecutive game. Fox finished with 20 points.
Allen Iverson scored 37 points to lead the 76ers, and left the court to chants of "MVP" when he was taken out of the game with 40.3 seconds left.