http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=240513024
The Spurs filed a protest after the game, claiming the clock did not
start quickly enough after Fisher caught it. One of the three
officials triggers the start with a wireless device on his belt. A
neutral scorekeeper does, too, as a backup.
"I think it definitely started late," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich
said.
Pending an improbable reversal, the Lakers head home for Game 6
Saturday night having won three straight.
After three timeouts, Gary Payton was ready to pass to Shaquille
O'Neal or Kobe Bryant. The Spurs had them covered, leaving Fisher
"extremely open," he said. He caught the ball, sank the shot over Manu
Ginobili, then ran off the court in celebration.
"I just wanted to get out of there and not give them an opportunity to
think that we didn't believe it went in," Fisher said.
"One lucky shot deserves another," O'Neal said.
"Our guys never gave up and gave us an opportunity to win the game,"
Duncan said. "That energy is what we're going to need going to L.A."
Baskets by O'Neal and Bryant put the Lakers back up 72-71 with 11.9
seconds left, setting up Duncan's near winner over O'Neal that made it
73-72.
"I couldn't believe it went in, honestly," Duncan said. "They played
the dribble-handoff great and I just had to take a shot, let it go as
high as I could, knowing that Shaq was there."
"That's what happens in playoff basketball," Lakers coach Phil Jackson
said. "The odds are very slim. They are always desperation shots."
The Spurs filed a protest after the game, claiming the clock did not
start quickly enough after Fisher caught it. One of the three
officials triggers the start with a wireless device on his belt. A
neutral scorekeeper does, too, as a backup.
"I think it definitely started late," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich
said.
Pending an improbable reversal, the Lakers head home for Game 6
Saturday night having won three straight.
After three timeouts, Gary Payton was ready to pass to Shaquille
O'Neal or Kobe Bryant. The Spurs had them covered, leaving Fisher
"extremely open," he said. He caught the ball, sank the shot over Manu
Ginobili, then ran off the court in celebration.
"I just wanted to get out of there and not give them an opportunity to
think that we didn't believe it went in," Fisher said.
"One lucky shot deserves another," O'Neal said.
"Our guys never gave up and gave us an opportunity to win the game,"
Duncan said. "That energy is what we're going to need going to L.A."
Baskets by O'Neal and Bryant put the Lakers back up 72-71 with 11.9
seconds left, setting up Duncan's near winner over O'Neal that made it
73-72.
"I couldn't believe it went in, honestly," Duncan said. "They played
the dribble-handoff great and I just had to take a shot, let it go as
high as I could, knowing that Shaq was there."
"That's what happens in playoff basketball," Lakers coach Phil Jackson
said. "The odds are very slim. They are always desperation shots."
