Apr. 3, 1962 - The Lakers blew a 24-point lead in the final period tonight before beating the Pistons, 123-117, as 6,347 fans in Detroit looked on. The victory enabled the Lakers to advance to the NBA championship round. The Lakers won the 4-of-7 series, 4-2, after taking the first 3 games and then losing the next 2. Detroit erased the Lakers’ 24-point lead with a rally that tied the score at 117-117 with 1:21 left. But Elgin Baylor (pictured #22), playing on a one-day pass from the Army, put the Lakers ahead to stay with a jump shot 14 seconds later. Then Jerry West added two free throws and Wayne Yates sank an insurance basket.
