It may have taken 53 minutes in a hostile environment, but the Lakers are returning to the NBA finals. The Associated Press reports that the defending NBA Champs proved why they are on top. When it comes to the end of a close game, the team that executes will usually prevail. The Lakers found a way to execute with the game on the line.

Shaquille O'Neal and Derek Fisher came through in the clutch for the Lakers on a night when Kobe Bryant didn't make a basket in either the fourth quarter or overtime, sending the Lakers back to the championship round with a 112-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. O'Neal, Fisher and Bryant combined to go 8-for-8 from the foul line in overtime, while Sacramento couldn't put a point on the board in the final two minutes.

Robert Horry scored 16 points, and Fisher and Rick Fox had 13 each. O'Neal, Bryant, Fox and Horry each grabbed at least 10 rebounds, and Bryant and Fox each had seven assists.

The Lakers? defense also knocked the Kings off of their game forcing them into bad shots and bad decisions. Poor free throw shooting and horrible games Doug Christie and Peja Stojacovic who shot a combined 5-23 from the floor helped bury the Kings.  

Mike Bibby had 29 and Chris Webber 20 for the Kings, who worked all season to gain the homecourt advantage with this very moment in mind. But the Lakers are a team that has proven time and time again that they react well to pressure and they confidently insisted all along that they liked their chances if it ever came down to a Game 7 at Arco Arena.

The overtime period opened well for the Kings as Webber hit a 20-foot jumper to give the Kings the lead, but the Lakers executed their offence, tightened up their defense and survived a great effort by Mike Bibby to win the game.

The Lakers will defend their title beginning Wednesday night and will be heavy favorites against the Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Nets, a team with little experience in the spotlight.