When Lakers coach Phil Jackson gathered his team together for practice Saturday, it was obvious that that could have been the last one of the season.

They are one game away from going on summer vacation.

The Boston Celtics hold a 3-1 lead over the Lakers in the NBA Finals, needing a victory in Game 5 Sunday night at Staples Center to be crowned champions.

The Lakers blew a 24-point lead in Game 4 and were devastated.

Jackson had the team watch film Friday and sent the home.

Saturday the Lakers practiced.

``I think there's still a space for us to come out of our collective shell and move forward into an aggressive way of being back where we want to be,'' Jackson said. ``And I think that's what I left them with the message on the court today because that's where I want to see them tomorrow morning when I get in tomorrow at 9:00, 10:00 in the morning.''

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

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