lakers 6/1

Lakers victory forces Game 7

LOS ANGELES -- Shaquille O'Neal simply wouldn't allow the Los Angeles Lakers' dream of a dynasty to die at home.

Carrying his teammates on his broad shoulders one more time, O'Neal had 41 points and 17 rebounds as the two-time defending champions forced a Game 7 in the Western Conference finals, beating the Sacramento Kings 106-102 Friday night.

With everything from savage dunks and delicate hook shots to a string of 10 straight free throws, O'Neal wouldn't allow this epic playoff series to end early. He went 13-for-17 from the line, not a remarkable feat for most players -- but an indication of just how seriously O'Neal took this game.

Now, it will end appropriately: With the champs matched against the NBA's best regular-season team in a winner-take-all game on Sunday.

The winner of Game 7 at Arco Arena will play host to the New Jersey Nets, winners of the Eastern Conference, in Game 1 of the Finals on Wednesday night.

Kobe Bryant had 31 points and 11 rebounds in the Lakers' first elimination game since the 2000 conference finals against Portland.

-- AP