Lakers defeat Spurs' giving head coach Jackson a lift

California (Reuters): The three-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers sent coach Phil Jackson a get-well gift on Sunday, coming from behind to down the San Antonio Spurs 99-95 in the Western Conference semifinals.

Jackson, who spent the day recovering at home after an angioplasty on Saturday to unblock a vital artery, had been replaced on the Lakers bench by assistant coach Jim Cleamons.

Kobe Bryant had 35 points and Shaquille O'Neal 29, with II in the fourth quarter, as the Lakers leveled the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

In a later Western Conference semifinals game on Sunday, the Sacramento Kings romped 99-83 over the Dallas Mavericks.

The best-of-seven series is now tied at 2-2, with game five set for Dallas on Tuesday.

Lakers center O'Neal, who also grabbed 17 boards, had some advice for the recovering Jackson.

"Stay home," Shaq told his coach. "Just rest."

The Lakers did him no favors with a dismal first half which saw them fall behind 46-39.

But they turned it around with a 32-21 third quarter, capped off by Brian Shaw's three-pointer which barely beat the buzzer and had officials looking at replays for confirmation.

However the Spurs were far from done and went up 95-93 on Stephen Jackson's three-pointer with 90 seconds on the clock.

Jackson finished with 15 points, only to be outdone by reigning MVP Tim Duncan, who notched 36.

The Lakers then won it at the line, Bryant making two free throws with 14 seconds remaining to make it 98-95. He then stole a pass to seal the victory.

In Sacramento, it was very much a team effort, with six Kings finishing in double figures and not one of them getting more than 17 points.

Istanbul-born Hedo Turkoglu, who took team leader Chris Webber's place in the starting line-up, had 17 to pace Sacramento.

Vlade Divac was next best with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Peja Stojakovic added 15 points and 12 boards.

Michael Finley and Raja Bell each had 16 points to top the Mavericks.

Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Allen Iverson called it a team effort, but his 36 points and 11 assists lifted the Philadelphia 76ers to an easier-than-expected 95-82 win over the Detroit Pistons in an Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday.