Christmas Showdown

The much anticipated basketball game between the two former teammates; Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal came to an end when Kobe Bryant missed the game winning 3 in overtime.

“The brick wall [Shaquille O'Neal] came tumbling down Saturday. But that didn’t stop the Miami Heat from beating the Los Angeles Lakers in Shaq vs. Kobe I.

With Shaquille O’Neal watching from the bench after fouling out late in the fourth quarter [due to picking up his 6th foul], Dwyane Wade and Eddie Jones scored four points each in overtime and the Heat beat the Lakers 104-102 to extend their winning streak to 11 games, equaling a franchise record. ” Source

“The Heat (22-7) survived despite a season-high 42 points by Bryant. But the Lakers’ star was held scoreless in overtime, missing three shots including a 3-pointer at the buzzer.” Source

For all those unfamiliar with the “Soap Opera” that’s going on with Kobe Bryant and Shaq: O’Neal and Bryant were teammates for eight chaotic seasons with the Lakers. Despite their obvious disdain for each other, nearly unbearable at times, the Lakers won three championships and reached the NBA Finals a fourth time during their last five years together. Their meeting on Christmas maybe the biggest game in the 2004-2005 season because of the rivalry between these two superstars.