Lakers beat Pistons, even NBA Finals at one game each
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-06-09 15:21

Kobe Bryant scored 33 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 29 as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons 99-91 in overtime to even the National Basketball Association Finals at one game apiece.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant celebrates as the game ends with the Lakers defeating the Detroit Pistons 99-91 in overtime during Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Los Angeles, June 8, 2004. Bryant was the high scorer with 33 points, and scored the game-tying shot in regulation. [Reuters]

Bryant made a 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime, then O'Neal had six of the Lakers' 10 points in the extra period at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

"It's all about the challenge, we're playing for the highest stakes and I can rise to that," Bryant said to ABC.

Game 3 in the best-of-seven series will be played Thursday at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Chauncey Billups led the Pistons with 27 points, while Richard Hamilton added 26.

No team has won the NBA championship after losing the first two games of the finals at home.

Detroit Pistons Ben Wallace slam dunks past Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O'Neal during Game 2 of the 2004 NBA Finals at the Staples Center in Los Angels, June 8, 2004. [Reuters]

Detroit, which trailed by as many as a dozen in the third quarter, pulled within 68-66 as the fourth quarter began. The Pistons took their first lead since midway in the second quarter at 71-68 on a Lindsey Hunter 3-pointer with 9:36 left in the game.

Los Angeles then ran off seven straight points to take a 75-71 lead with 7:50 to go, but Detroit went on a 16-8 run -- led by six points each from Ben Wallace and Hamilton -- to take a 89-83 lead with 47 seconds left.

O'Neal followed with a 3-point play and after Billups missed a 9-footer with 16 seconds to go, Bryant sank a 3-pointer to force overtime.

"I had Richard on me, and I just tried to gather my balance and knock it down," Bryant said.

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