Lakers, without coach, tie series vs. Spurs

LOS ANGELES -- The three-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers won a most difficult game without coach Phil Jackson.

Considering what he's been through recently, maybe it's good Jackson stayed home to avoid further stress, although it couldn't have been easy watching the Lakers' 99-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on television Sunday.

"Let's say if he survived this, he's OK," said assistant Jim Cleamons, who filled in for Jackson. Jackson missed the game after undergoing an angioplasty Saturday to unblock an artery leading to his heart.

The Lakers won by scoring the game's final six points on two free throws by Shaquille O'Neal and four by Kobe Bryant to even the Western Conference semifinals 2-2.

Game 5 will be played Tuesday night in San Antonio and Game 6 Thursday night at Staples Center.

"That's the heart of a champion," Bryant said. "We don't budge, we know that. You knock us down, we get back up. We find a way to win."

As far as playing without Jackson was concerned, Bryant said: "We just look at it as another obstacle. We thrive in these types of situations."

Bryant led the Lakers with 35 points, shooting 10-of-24 from the floor and 14-for-17 from the foul line. He also had a key steal, picking off an inbound pass by Tony Parker with 14.2 seconds left and the Lakers leading 98-95.

"I just wanted to get in the passing lane," Bryant said. "I saw the ball in my path and just went for it."

O'Neal had 29 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots. He made 17 of 23 free throws.

"I thought he did an incredible job at the foul line," said San Antonio's Tim Duncan, who did pretty well himself, making 16 of 20 free throws.

Duncan shot 10-for-17 from the field in scoring 36 points. He also had nine rebounds and five assists.

Jackson, whose teams have won a record 25 straight playoff series and nine championships, missed the first postseason game of his 13-year career as an NBA head coach. He had experienced tightness and pain in his chest for about a week. Jackson was released from the hospital about 2 1/2 hours before Sunday's game.

Cleamons said he spoke with Jackson before the game, at halftime and afterward.

"From the sound of his voice, he sounded strong, like he was OK," Cleamons said. "I'm hopeful he'll travel with us to San Antonio tomorrow and be on the bench Tuesday night."

That decision will be made today.

"I put it in perspective. Before the game, I asked myself, 'Would I come to work if I went through what Phil went through?"' Lakers guard Brian Shaw said. "He called us at halftime and told us what adjustments to make. We followed his lead. He was calm, and we stayed calm."

Derek Fisher added 17 points for the Lakers. Stephen Jackson had 15 points and a playoff career high 10 rebounds and Parker scored 14 for the Spurs.

"We had a pretty good shot. It didn't happen," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "I'm very pleased with the way we competed. We just have to stay confident and take care of business at home."

Stephen Jackson's 3-pointer with 1:31 remaining capped a 6-0 run and gave the Spurs a 95-93 lead, but the Spurs wouldn't score again.

76ers 95, Pistons 82

PHILADELPHIA -- Allen Iverson scored 36 points and had 11 assists as the Philadelphia 76ers evened their second-round series 2-2 by beating Detroit 95-82.

Game 5 will be Wednesday night in Detroit.

Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 30 points.

-- From wire reports