The Dallas Mavericks easily eliminated the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers from contention Sunday with a 122-86 victory in game four of the Western Conference Semifinals. The Mavs completed a four-game sweep thanks in large part to a big contribution from a former King.
From ESPN’s Dallas Mavericks Report:
Peja Stojakovic, while playing for the Sacramento Kings, was knocked out of the playoffs for three consecutive seasons by the Lakers, who would go on to win the title in those years.
The Kings lost to the Lakers in five games in the first round in the 1999-00 season and were swept in four games in the conference semifinals the following season. In 2001-02, the Kings lost in seven games to the Lakers in the conference finals.
“It’s nine years ago,” Stojakovic. “We had our chance. It was very emotional for us over there, but it’s been so many years we all have to move on with our lives and our careers. I’m a different player and that was years ago. I’m on a different team.”
Stojakovic and the Mavs were scorching from beyond the arc in victory. They tied an NBA record 20 three-pointers made in a single playoff game, a mark set by the 1996 Seattle SuperSonics according to our friends from ESPN Stats & Info.
The last time Stojakovic went head-to-head with the Lakeshow in an elimination game? June 2, 2002 – game seven of the Western Conference Finals.
He was 0 for 6 from beyond the arc in 2002, but 6 for 6 in 2011. Seems like some demons were exercised indeed.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SpWKr79qPs
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