Downloaded the 2020 Lakers, Now playing in the Finals

[bulls96]

LOS ANGELES - The GOAT series continues with the 2020 version of Lebron and the LA Lakers. Antonio Davis, Danny Green, KCP, Dwight Howard, Alex Caruso, Rajon Rondo.. these Lakers were underrated imho. Let's see them battle Jordan and the 1996 Bulls.

Game link: https://youtu.be/eFCLw0ywNkQ

The Lakers got off to a great start, shooting 4/5 for a 10-2 advantage early on, forcing an early timeout by Phil Jackson. The Bulls responded with a 18-4 run of their own, 8 from MJ, to take the lead. The Lakers bench provided some lift but it was a big quarter for MJ, capping a 16-pt quarter with a buzzerbeater over Morris as the period ended with the Bulls having a 5-pt lead.

In the second quarter, the Bulls second unit led by Pippen could not sustain the lead. The Lakers bench, led by Caruso and Rondo, outplayed their counterparts in the 2ndQ. Lebron and KCP would get back in the game to further the Lakers lead, 7-pts halfway thru the period. The Bulls again would regroup. Pippen and Kukoc would find a rhythm late in the 2nd, and the game would be tied at the half, 50-50.

Pippen got into a great rhythm at the start of the 3rd, that started witha 3-pointer and push the Bulls to a 6 point lead early. However, the Lakers responded with a display of elite outside shooting, shooting 70% int e quarterm including 5/7 from 3. The star was not Lebron, but their other valuable started, KCP, who would have 12 3rd quarter pts, 2/3 from 3, to lead the Lakers to a 3-pt heading into the 4th. \


Toni Kukoc scored the first 2 baskets of the 4th to give the Bulls the lead. But it was a Michael Jordan who seemed hell-bent on stealing this game on LA's homercourt. He was on a mission, scoring 19 pts in the 4th, and with his 50th point gave the Bulls an 8-pt lead with just less than 3 minutes to go. 115-`107.

But dont count out these Lakers just yet, especially on their homecourt. They regrouped and increased their defensive focus. They would cause 3 consecutive turnovers that led to 3 easy fastbreak baskets and suddenly, it was just a 1-pt lead with just 19 secs left. They would send JOrdan to the FT, and he would uncharacteristically miss his 2nd FT to give LA for one last chance to tie the game.

On their final play, they would get the ball down to Lebron who would get doubled inside. He would pass it out to an open Antonio Davis at the corner who would swish the jumper and tie the game. Jordan would miss a last second shot on the final play to send the game into OVERTIME.

In OT, the Lakers gained an early upper hand with AD and Lebron active on both ends. Bulls would still fight back, and would regain the lead with a 3-pointer from Pippen with 2 mins left. Teams would exchange leads from then on. The game would be decided on who would miss first and shoot last.


Lebron James and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the Lakers with 34 pts apiece. Davis, Rondo, and Caruso would round up 5 Lakers in double figures.

Michael Jordan nearly matched a playoff record, finishing with 62 pts 13 assists 3 stls 1 blk. Pippen also solid with 33 pts. Dennis Rodman had a double double with 10 rebs 11 assists.

[Matt23134]

Damn. MJ went off in this one.

[bulls96]

LOS ANGELES -- After a thrilling Game 1 where the Lakers took the Bulls to OT, they got some confidence that they can defeat these Bulls. They try again in Game 2.

Game link: https://youtu.be/DZEAc-6mUCc

Lebron was aggressive early on as he tries to keep the Lakers from falling 0-2 at home. He had his jumper going, scoring 10 first quarter points and helped lead the Lakers to a 5 pt lead in the first quarter. Jordan started the second quarter, scoring 7 quick points to help the Bulls retake the lead. He would have 16 2ndQ points as the Bulls led by as much as 6. But the Lakers would come back on the back of Caruso and ANtonio Davis, who would score on a buzzer beating hook shot as time expired to cut the Bulls lead to 2 going into halftime, 53-51.
Jordan and Pippen combined for 20 pts and were able to extend the lead to as much as 8 in the 3rdQ, but Lakers would not go away and curt it to 6 heading into the final quarter.

At the start of the 4th, the Bulls were looking good, with Pippen directing the offense and Kerr finding the range. A 3pter from Kerr gave the Bulls a 10 pt lead with over 8 mins to go. The Lakers would stage another comeback starting with defense, ignited by a huge block by Lebron on Jordan. Rondo also was everywhere, stealing the ball, rebounding and getting on the break. THey were able to get to within 3, until JOrdan and PIppen were able to stave them off and kept the lead at 8, 101-93, with 3 mins to go.

But the home crowd and LA were not going anywhere yet!

THe Lakers would stage another rally and in the next 2 mins would go on a 7-0 run to cut the Bulls lead to 1 with just a minute to go. THe most crucial sequence was with 42 secs left and the Bulls hanging on to a 1-pt lead. Jordan had Lebron at the top of the key and make a drive to the lane. Lebron and AD converged in the middle and AD was able to block Jordan's drive. He then quickly run to the opposite end to receive an alley-oop pass from KCP and dunk it to give the Lakers the lead with 26 secs left.

One last chance, for Michael JOrdan time. He was defended by Danny Green. He did a good job on the perimeter, forcing a 3-pt attempt from MJ that rolled out! They fouled AD immediately. AD makes 1 of 2 FT's to make it a 2 pt lead for the Lakers with 1.3 secs to go.

One last chance for the Bulls. They try to pass it to MJ but the pass was deflected by Danny Green. It fell on the hands of Steve Kerr who would throw the ball up from beyond 3. BALL GOES IN!!! But Kerr did not get it off in time so the Lakers hang on for a 105-103 victort in Game 2.

Series is tied 1-1.

Lebron was POG with 26 pts 6 rebs 1 stl 3 blks. while AD added 23. It was the Lakers bench though that made the difference, outscoring the Bulls 32-15 in that department, led by Rajon Rondo 17 pts and 11 pts from Alex Caruso.
Jordan finished with 45 pts 6 rebs 8 assts while Pippen added 31 pts 8 rebs. Kerr had 13 off the bench. ROdman had 13 boards 7 assists.

[bulls96]

CHICAGO -- After stealing one game in LA, the Chicago Bulls look confident going back home for the next 2 game. But LA is also riding the momentum of their Game 2 win. Who Will take Game 3?

Game link: https://youtu.be/iAMHDsTtMFc

Michael Jordan got it going early in the 1st half of this game, scoring 11 pts in the 1stQ and 12 in the second. On the other end, for the Lakers, the best player on the court was a player who came off the bench. Rajon Rondo continued his great play, and scored 17 1st half pts, 12 in the second, also dishing out 3 assists. as the Lakers second unit outplayed their Bulls counterparts, helping neutralize Jordan's efficient game in the 1st half. It was a 2-pt lead for the Lakers at the half, 59-57.


The 3rd quarter was a Michael Jordan. He went on an absolute rampage, scoring 24 pts in the 3rdQ alone. He was scoring from everywhere,showing his entire repertoire, even hitting 2 3-pointers. They led by as much as 14. AD and Lebron had good quarters themselves, but it wasn't enough to overcome Jordan who was en route to a historic night. Bulls lead by 10 entering the 4th quarter.

Jordan and the Bulls offense cooled down significantly at the start of the 4thQ and the Lakers were quick to take advantage. They quickly narrowed down the lead to 2 after a 3-pointer from Lebron forcing an early timeout by Phil Jackson. Lebron was brilliant, carrying the Lakers back into the game. He would score 17 pts in the 4thQ and put the Lakers back on top with a muscle drive vs Pippen with 3 mins to go. The Bulls regrouped. Jordan's will to win cannot be doubted and again showed over the Bulls next possessions. 2 clutch baskets and an assist to Pippen helped put the Bulls again firmly on top by 5 with 54 secs to go.

The Bulls couldn't secure the W just yet though. Big turnover and 4 missed FT's by Dennis Rodman gave the Lakers some life, as they trailed only by 2 with 12 secs to go. Longley would make 1 of 2 FT's , to make it a 3 pt lead. But on the other end, KCP scored on a long jumper with 4.6 secs to go, and it seemed like a 3, but he was stepping on the line, and it counted as 2, making itjust a 1-pt lead. Jordan would get fouled immediately, and calmy sinks both Ft's with 4.1 left. WIth no timeouts left, Leborn ran it down the court and shot from halfcourt, but his shot is blocked by Pippen, securing the W for the Bulls.

Bulls win 114-111, now go up 2-1 in this series.

Jordan finished with his Finals-best 61 pts, while adding 8 assts 4 rebs 3 stls. Pippen added 23 pts 6 rebs 9 assists.

Lebron had his best game of the series so far with 36 pts 4 rebs 5 assists. AD added 21 and 6. Rondok after a huge 1st half, fizzled out in the 2nd half, finishing with 20 pts.

[bulls96]

CHICAGO -- The 1996 Bulls have the momentum going into Game 4. The Bulls duo of Pippen and Jordan have outplayed their counterparts so far. Can AD and Lebron respond?

Game link: https://youtu.be/vzNi-SH6lek

The superstars from each team came to play in Game 4 as Jordan-Pippen and Lebron-AD, all were active offensively. AD had a particularly effective period with 10, but it was the Lakers bench who pushed the Lakers over the top. Rondo and Kuzma hit some huge 3's in the quarter and the Lakers grab a 2-pt lead after one.

In the 2nd quarter, while AD continued with his brilliance with 12 pts, it was the Lakers bench again who would keep the Lakers firmly on top. ROndo continued his hot shooting here, and Alex Caruso was brilliant on both ends and the Lakers led by as much as 7. Pippen kept Chicago afloat and a strong finish from Jordan helped narrow the gap to 3, 61-58.

In the 3rd quarter, Michael Jordan took over, finding a rhythm early and was hitting from everywhere. His 22pts in the 3rd helped the Bulls take command of the game. But the Lakers attack was far from stifled. IT was again a well-balanced effort with both starters and bench contributing, and despite MJ's huge quarter, the Bulls lead was still just 3 going into the 4th.

In the 4thQ, it was Scottie Pippen's turn to show off. He was feeling it and scored 12 pts in the 4th, had the Bulls firmly ahead, as much as 9. Lebron James, was tentative, and he was all game, and could not match Pip's output. The Lakers stayed within striking distance though, and with some outside sniping from AD and KCP, the Lakers were still just 3 pts behind with less than 2 mins left. But Jordan would put a dagger in their comeback bid with 3 straight jumpers to seal the deal for Chicago.

Bulls win 118-109.


The Bulls superstar duo put up unheard of numbers in this Game 4 victory. Jordan and Pippen combined for 97 pts. MJ had 57 and Pippen 40. Staggering domination of the Lakers here.

AD led the Lakers with 26 pts 7 rebs 2 blks. The second-b est player here, and in most of these games for LA was not Lebron. It was Rajon Rondo. He had 22 off the bench. Lebron was tentative all night, and shot poorly, 7/20, 1-7 from 3 to finish with 18 pts.

[bulls96]

LOS ANGELES -- Down 3-1, Lebron and the Lakers hope that their home crowd could help them get back into this series and stay alive. Will they be able to stop MJ?

Game link: https://youtu.be/pNSVNCdr1qs

Both Lebron and Jordan started strong here in Game 5. Lebron had a productive 11 pts while MJ had 12. Bulls were in the lead for the most part and carried a 2 pt lead going into the 2ndQ. Bulls were able to maintain the advantage in the 2nd, leading by as much as 8, but a balanced attack from Caruso, AD and Lebron kept the game within striking distance. It's a 4-pt lead going into the half.

Jordan and Lebron went at it early again in the 3rd, and the Bulls got the upper hand, led by as much as 9 midway thru the period. SOme outside sniping late from AD and KCP got the Lakers to tie the game. With Bron and MJ on the bench towards the end of the quarter, it was the supporting casts turn to rise up to the challenge, and it was the 2-man game between Kukoc and Pippen that helped the Bulls maintain a 5-pt advantage going into the 4th.

With a good rest in the 3rd, the stage was set for Michael Jordan and Lebron James to slug it out in the 4th, for MJ to claim the title and for Lebron to stay alive. As expected, MJ was scoring more, but he was matched not by Lebron alone, but by the help of his teammates, specially Rajon Rondo and Kyle Kuzma off the bench.

MJ was phenomenal, 22 pts in the 4th, but it was just a 2-pt lead for the Bulls with less than 2 mins to go in the game. As it has been proven true time and time again, it would be defense that wins the championship, and that would be the case here. Bulls would turn the ball over and miss key shots down the stretch, but it was defense that would seal the victory for the Bulls.

The Bulls were hanging on to a 2-pt lead with 26 seconds to go and the Lakers with the Ball. The Bulls would play excellent D, no one in the perimeter could find a shot. The ball would be passed around and found its way down to Dwight Howard underneath the basket who appeared open for a dunk to tie the game. But Dennis Rodman was able to scramble down and block Dwight's dunk attempt with 4 secs to go. MJ would sink 2 Ft's and that would do it.

Bulls take it in 5. 108-104.

Lebron led 5 players in double figures for the Lakers with 29 pts. Ad had a quiet night with 14 and 7 boards.

Jordan finished the game with 53 pts. Pippen had a brilliant all-around game with 27 pts 10 rebs 7 assists. Rodman had another atypical double-double with 11 boards and 11 dimes. Kukoc had 14 off the bench.