Newz Forum: BASKETBALL: Lakers avenge the Spurs

The Los Angeles Lakers avenged last year's play-off defeat by completing an improbable Western Conference semi-final triumph over the San Antonio Spurs in Los Angeles on Saturday. It was sweet revenge for the Lakers after the Spurs knocked them out in the second round last season following three straight NBA championships for Los Angeles.

The Lakers lost the first two games of the series against the defending champions but stormed back to win four straight to seal their revenge.Kobe Bryant once more led the way for the Lakers, scoring 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, while Shaquille O'Neal had 17 points, 19 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Lakers beat the Spurs 88-76. Lakers fans are known for sitting on their hands and being more interested in the celebrity sightings than the game. But this was different. With the crowd at a fever pitch during Laker introductions, a replay of Fisher's winning shot was followed by the words: "Game 6. Lets Finish It" on the scoreboard.The Lakers became the eighth team in NBA history to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two games. The last team to accomplish such a feat was Houston, which did it in both the 1994 and 1995 conference semifinals against Phoenix en route to championships.