Last year's Lakers-Spurs NBA playoffs series felt eerily similar to the days of the Kobe and Shaq Lakers, when they seemed to pound the Spurs mercilessly whenever the clubs met in the playoffs.

Whenever you watched a game, it felt like a movie you had seen before; no use in watching it the whole way because you already know how it ends. In those days it appeared the Lakers simply could press the "on" button and overcome the Spurs even if San Antonio had a substantial lead.

Fast forward to last year, and the new-look Lakers similarly looked in control of the Western Conference Finals from the opening tip in Game 1 to the final buzzer in Game 5, as they easily dispatched the Spurs on their way to the NBA Finals.

While the series itself wasn't entirely memorable, Game 5 stood out for bettors if you happened to have action on it because the outcome of the spread was decided in very memorable fashion.

This contest comes in at No. 4 in the Top 5 Greatest Point Spread Finishes over the past five years:

Score: Los Angeles Lakers 100, San Antonio Spurs 92
Date: May 29, 2008
Spread: Lakers -7 ½

Why it was memorable: Well, NBA games being decided on a last-second free throw, layup or three-pointer aren't exactly rare, but this one stands out for the manner in which it took place and for the precarious spread involved.

It opened at eight points in most sportsbooks, which is the number I took early with the Spurs at the nearby Nevada sportsbook where I live. The spread went down to seven at one point before coming to a rest at 7 1/2. I took the Spurs figuring there would be heavy action on the home chalk and, figuring while the Spurs likely wouldn't win, the defending champs were bound to give a respectable effort before they conceded their crown to another team.

Everything went as planned for a while. The Spurs predictably came out on fire, with Tony Parker carving up the Lakers defense with ease, and Tim Duncan got off to a hot start as well. The Spurs built a 17-point lead in the first quarter before heading into halftime ahead 48-42.

It didn't take long for the inevitable to take hold in the second half; that is, a Lakers run combined with a San Antonio drought. When the two forces collided, the Lakers pulled ahead and were poised to take down the game and the series.

Even so, the Spurs kept things just close enough at the end to seal what should have been a close, but deserved cover. When the foul-and-free-throw routine finally subsided, the Lakers were walking up the court with a five-point lead and about five seconds left. Kobe Bryant swung the ball over to Sasha Vujacic, who appeared content to dribble the ball until the clock expired and join his teammates in celebration.

Except, he didn't. Vujacic suddenly appeared to have a change of heart, and dribbled up to three-point line and launched one at the buzzer. All net. The Spurs, who had backed off from defense and weren't defending anyone, were clearly agitated by the unsportsmanlike maneuver. Michael Finley glared at Vujacic and looked ready to tackle him.

The 100-92 final score had Lakers fans celebrating wildly, while Spurs fans had to settle for a push, at best. Most people who bet the Lakers got the money, while a handful got a push as well. Either way, it was the three-pointer that was heard all around the sports betting world.