Ep 2. 1972 NBA Finals Game 2
- April 30, 1972
In this episode of NBA season 3, we look back at the 1972 NBA Finals Game 2 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks. This game was played on April 30, 1972, at the historic Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The Los Angeles Lakers entered this game with a 1-0 series lead after winning Game 1 by a score of 114-92. The Lakers were led by their dynamic duo of Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain, while the Knicks were hoping to get back into the series behind the play of Walt Frazier and Willis Reed.
The game got off to a fast pace, with both teams looking to push the ball up the court and get easy baskets. The Lakers jumped out to an early lead behind the hot shooting of West and Chamberlain, but the Knicks managed to keep it close with some timely baskets from Reed and Frazier.
As the game progressed, the physicality of the Knicks' defense began to take its toll on the Lakers. The Knicks' players were not afraid to get physical with West and Chamberlain, and this seemed to frustrate the Lakers' stars.
Despite the Knicks' tough defense, the Lakers managed to maintain their lead throughout the game. Chamberlain was dominant in the paint, using his size and strength to overpower the Knicks' defenders. West was also playing well, using his quickness to get open looks from the outside.
Late in the game, the Knicks made a furious comeback attempt behind the play of Frazier. Frazier was absolutely incredible down the stretch, scoring 12 straight points to cut the Lakers' lead to just two points with less than a minute to play.
However, the Lakers managed to hold on for the victory thanks to some clutch free throw shooting from West and a missed shot by Frazier in the final seconds. The Lakers won the game by a final score of 106-100, taking a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Overall, this was a classic NBA game that showcased the talent and intensity of two of the best teams in the league. The Lakers were able to overcome the physical play of the Knicks and maintain their composure down the stretch to secure the victory. This game was a perfect example of why the NBA Finals are the pinnacle of basketball, with high stakes and incredible performances from some of the greatest players of all time.