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Fisher? This Triangle Offense master will replace Payton in the Lakers' starting lineup in the second half.

Whether the legend is true or whether the meeting actually existed, the Lakers managed to hold their own against the Bucks in the third quarter, scoring 22 to 21.

It was the first time they won a quarter in the Finals since it began.

Even if it was by just 1 point, even if it only reduced the deficit to 15 points, it was invigorating.

The Lakers' road to a three-peat wasn't without peril, such as the seventh game of the 2000 Western Finals and the sixth game of the 2002 Western Finals, where they ultimately proved to be the better team.

However, tonight seemed different.

In 2000, they had the united OK; back then, Kobe could still outmaneuver Scottie Pippen and deliver one of the greatest alley-oops in playoff history to Shaquille O'Neal.