After cruising to a quick 3-0 series lead over the New Jersey Nets in the 2002 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves on the brink of history. One more win would assure a three-peat for the franchise — a rarity that has occurred in only four other instances.
The Finals resumed on June 12, 2002, for Game 4, where the Lakers looked to finish the job at Continental Airlines Arena. The Nets, however, jumped out to an early seven-point lead with home-court advantage on their side.
Los Angeles would storm back in the second quarter, outscoring New Jersey by eight points, and carried a one-point advantage into halftime.