Van Exel Realizes Childhood Dream Twice : NBA playoffs: Guard always wanted to make “big shots” and he did it two times against Spurs, on three-point attempts.

When Laker guard Nick Van Exel was growing up, he used to fantasize about making a last-second, game-winning shot in an NBA playoff game.

“I’ve always dreamed about making big shots,” Van Exel said “I could always see myself making that big shot. If I didn’t make it, I’d say I got fouled.”

Van Exel’s dream came true when he made an off-balance three-point shot with 0.5 left in overtime as the Lakers stayed alive in the NBA playoffs by beating the San Antonio Spurs, 98-96, in the fifth game of their Western Conference playoff series Tuesday night before 35,888 at the Alamodome.

“This is the biggest shot of my career,” Van Exel said. “I can’t even describe it.”

Van Exel, who normally shadow-boxes after making a big shot, ran around the court celebrating after his wild off-balance shot went in.

“I was excited,” Van Exel said. “I should have done my boxing moves because I think I knocked everybody out with one punch. I put them to sleep.”

The Lakers, who trailed, 96-90, after center David Robinson made two free throws, outscored the Spurs, 8-0, in the final 2:33 of the five-minute overtime period to win their first game in the Alamodome.

With the Lakers trailing, 96-95, they got one last chance after Robinson missed a 14-foot jumper with 20.7 seconds remaining.

Elden Campbell’s finger roll in the lane went in and came back out to center Vlade Divac, who beat Spur guard Avery Johnson for the rebound.

“I saw that it was coming out when I let it go,” Campbell said. “But Vlade got to the ball and he bailed me out. I thought it was good as soon as Nick took the shot.”

Divac swatted the ball to Van Exel, who twitched his head left to fake Johnson and went to his right.

“I was thinking about taking the shot,” Divac said, “but I saw four seconds on the clock and I thought I’d better give it to Nick.”

Van Exel said he wanted to take the final shot.

“I saw Vlade get the ball and I just kept yelling, ‘Vlade, Vlade,’ there wasn’t no way I was going to pass that one,” Van Exel said.

Seeing Robinson coming at him to try to block the shot, Van Exel, who missed five of his first six three-point shots, launched a desperation shot off the wrong (right) foot.

“I saw David flying at me, so my first object was to get it up as high as I could,” Van Exel said. “I got it up high and it went through. I saw the clock and I could have gone around David, but I didn’t want to try to force anything. I just wanted to get it up quick so we’d have a chance to get a rebound if it came out.”

Said Robinson: “It was a crushing shot. I thought AJ [Johnson] had the ball. I ran at Van Exel, but I couldn’t get there in time. It was a crushing shot.”

Was Van Exel confident that he’d make the shot?

“It was on line, but you never know until it goes in,” Van Exel said.

Van Exel, who scored 22 points, including the final five of regulation, also made a three-point basket with 10.2 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime tied, 88-88.

Coach Del Harris was signaling for a timeout but Van Exel ignored him and launched a shot.

“I wasn’t looking at [Harris]; my first object was to get it up to the basket,” Van Exel said. “If you have a good look [at the basket], go ahead and take the shot.”

Said Harris: “He’s ahead of himself in his development mentally. A lot of players come into the league with physical skills, but it usually takes three or four years for a point guard to reach that all-star level of play.

“I’ve never given him an IQ test, but I know he’s intelligent, fun to watch and fun to coach.”

Written off after falling behind the Spurs 3-1 in the best-of-seven series after last Sunday’s 80-71 loss at home, the Lakers didn’t quit.

“If any team can come back from 3-1, it’s us,” Van Exel said. “We’re still alive at 3-2, but it’s going to take a lot of work.”