| | | One highlight of the streak: Shaq scores 61 on Clips. | Led by Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and a few others, the Los Angeles Lakers won 19 consecutive games before losing to Washington. Think that's impressive? Well, in the history of the NBA, only two modern winning streaks topped L.A.'s run.
Nearly 30 years ago, the Lakers won 33 straight between Nov. 5, 1971 and Jan. 7, 1972. Those Lakers would win 69 games, led by Gail Goodrich (25.9 points), Jerry West (25.8 points, 9.7 assists), Jim McMillian (18.8 points), Wilt Chamberlain (14.8 points, 19.2 rebounds) and Happy Hairston.
A season earlier, the Lew Alcindor-led Bucks won 20 in a row between Feb. 6 and March 8, 1971.
And that's it. So let's break down this historic streak by Phil Jackson's team. Enjoy.
THE LAKERS' STREAK |
Game, Date
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Loser, Score
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ESPN.com skinny
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1. Feb. 4
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Jazz, 113-67
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Angered by losing six of nine, including a blowout in San Antonio, Lakers run out to 56-21 halftime lead.
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2. Feb. 7
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Nuggets, 106-98
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It takes a 35-19 fourth-quarter outburst, and two near triple-doubles (Shaq: 35, 13 and 8 asts; Kobe: 29, 9 and 11)
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3. Feb. 9
|
Wolves, 114-81
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Over early: Shaq scores 18 straight points in the second quarter, 37 overall; Only Garnett tops 12 for Wolves
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4. Feb. 15
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Bulls, 88-76
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Phil returns to Chicago in first game after All-Star break; Shaq has 29 and 20 in relatively tight game
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5. Feb. 16
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Hornets, 92-85
|
Trailing in fourth, Rice makes up for Shaq's off night (6-for-17 FG) with 21 and some key baskets
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6. Feb. 18
|
Magic, 107-99
|
In return to Orlando, Shaq (39 points) ties it with steal and dunk as regulation ends, then scores 7 in OT for win
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7. Feb. 20
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76ers, 87-84
|
Story of game is Kobe shutting down Iverson (0-for-11 FG in second half); Kobe, Shaq block 9 shots
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8. Feb. 22
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Nets, 97-89
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Nets single-team Shaq with McIlvaine and Eschmeyer, result is 35, 13 and 4 assists; Marbury has 33
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9. Feb. 23
|
Cavs, 116-98
|
Tight until fourth period, Lakers go 6-0 on road trip for first time ever; Horry and Harper combine for 32
|
10. Feb. 25
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Celtics, 109-96
|
Lakers never trail as big three combine for 65 (Shaq gets 28, 15 and 6), team gets 35 assists on its 41 baskets
|
11. Feb. 27
|
Rockets, 101-85
|
30-13 first quarter tells story; Big three combine for 72 and Kobe holds Francis to 2-11 FG and 7 turnovers
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12. Feb. 29
|
Blazers, 90-87
|
Key game of season; In sloppy affair, Lakers take over first place with road win; Shaq, Kobe combine for 45
|
13. March 1
|
Grizzlies, 103-91
|
Phil uses word "somnambulant" to describe close game; Shaq fouls out with 25, 17, 5 and 5 blocks
|
14. March 3
|
Pacers, 107-92
|
Pacers fall behind 30-16 after first, shoot .395 overall; Shaq scores first 9 of fourth (31 and 15 overall)
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15. March 5
|
Heat, 93-80
|
Again, it's the opening quarter that does it (37-23); Rice leads streak-high five in double figures with 23
|
16. March 6
|
Clips, 123-103
|
Clear out! Shaq scores 61 (24-35 FG, 13-22 FT) and adds 23 boards on 28th birthday; Crowd chants "MVP, MVP"
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17. March 9
|
Warriors, 109-92
|
Lakers never threatened; Kobe gets 30, Shaq 29, Rice and Brian Shaw 10 to offset Larry Hughes' 41
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18. March 12
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Kings, 109-106
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Lakers need 35-20 fourth quarter, with Shaq/Kobe getting 27, to win. Shaq/Kobe combine for 79, 30 and 13
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19. March 13
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Nuggets, 118-108
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Shaq gets 40, 9 and 7 while limping on sore hammy, and goes 12-16 from line; Kobe (22), Rice (20) help out
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--. March 16
|
Wizards 109, Lakers 102
|
Kobe shoots 2-for-10, fouls and Shaq's 40 not enough; Wiz entered game with 20 wins, Lakers with 19 straight
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ALSO SEE
West: There is something to stop Shaq
Wizards make Lakers' 19-game streak disappear
Behind Shaq's 40 points, Lakers win 19th straight
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