Game 1 - 76ers 107, Lakers 101 (OT)
The Lakers entered the series having won 19 consecutive games dating back to the regular season, and scored the first five points in the overtime session, but the 76ers came back, scoring 13 of the game's final 15 points to take Game 1. Allen Iverson, the 2000-01 NBA MVP, led the way for the 76ers, scoring 48 points, including seven during Philadelphia's decisive run to end the game.
The Lakers jumped out to an 18-5 lead early in the game, before Iverson took over. He had 38 points in the first two and a half quarters of the game, giving Philadelphia a 15-point lead, before the Lakers turned to Tyronn Lue to slow Iverson down. Lue limited the MVP to just three points in the fourth quarter, but couldn't keep up the pace in overtime. Iverson ended a run of seven consecutive points by hitting a step-back jumper over Lue, who fell down trying to defend the play. Iverson then stepped over Lue on his way back down to the defensive end of the court.
Shaquille O'Neal had a dominating performance in a losing effort for the Lakers, registering 44 points and 20 rebounds. O'Neal and Iverson became just the third set of opponents to each score 40 points in a Finals game. O'Neal could have scored more, but missed 12 free throws (in 22 attempts). Kobe Bryant, who entered this game averaging 31.6 points in the postseason, shot 7-for-22, scored 15 points and committed six turnovers. Derek Fisher, who had been averaging 15.1 points per game, was held scoreless, missing four shots.
When the NBA ranked the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments in conjunction with the league's 60th anniversary, Philadelphia's Game 1 win ranked No. 53 on the list.
