Game 4 of the NBA Finals starts as an intriguing duel between centers Shaquille O'Neal and Rik Smits, but it is Kobe Bryant who steals the show as he lifts LA to a 120-118 victory with dazzling play in OT.

Bryant, returning from injury after missing all of Game 3, scores 28 points, with eight coming in the extra session. Shaq finds his way to the bench early in OT, after scoring 36 points and grabbing 21 rebounds. The Lakers take a 3-1 series lead with a chance to wrap it up back in Indiana on Friday night at 9 ET.

Bryant started slowly in his first game back from the ankle sprain, going 3-for-7 in the first half. But in the second half, Bryant was aggressive, going 7-for-15 before his overtime heroics. He finished with 28 points, almost singlehandedly taking his team to the brink of the NBA title.