GAME REPORT

FIRST QUARTER: Houston 22, Lakers 15

Highlight Reel: Houston’s Scottie Pippen had a look of disbelief when he was beat on a give-and-go by Glen Rice and Shaquille O’Neal. Rice had the ball in the left corner and cut to the basket after making a pass into the post to O’Neal, who was guarded by Hakeem Olajuwon. Pippen doubled the post and Olajuwon was left reaching for air when O’Neal passed to Rice for an easy layup. The play may have been basic but it pointed out the Lakers’ unselfishness of late.

What You Won’t Find in the Box Score: Twice Laker point guard Derek Fisher dove on the court for a loose ball--the type of hustle not usually associated with the Lakers. Both times, he ended up with the ball.

Winning Number: Zero. The number of shots made by Pippen, who attempted five while being guarded by Kobe Bryant and Rice.

Wrong Number: 4:52. The time the Lakers went without scoring a point at the end of the quarter, enabling the Rockets to take a seven-point lead.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Rice, 6; Rockets: Olajuwon, 6.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal, 4; Rockets: Barkley, 4; Olajuwon, 4.

*

Lakers’ biggest lead: 2; Houston’s biggest lead: 7

SECOND QUARTER: Lakers 52, Houston 41

Highlight Reel: Olajuwon appeared open in the post but O’Neal sneaked in front to intercept an entry pass. Instead of giving the ball to a smaller, quicker teammate, O’Neal dribbled up the left side to start a fast break and then delivered a perfect alley-oop pass to Bryant, who threw down a two-handed dunk.

What You Won’t Find in the Box Score: Olajuwon wore a huge smile after watching O’Neal’s athletic play that led to Bryant’s basket and then drained another turnaround jump shot over O’Neal and ran down the court with an even bigger smile.

Winning Number: Six. Rice, who surely did not get his fair amount of shots when he first joined the Lakers, is not shy anymore. The veteran marksman attempted six shots in the quarter and made them all.

Wrong Number: Two. O’Neal gave a hint of what was to come when he made only two of four free throws in the quarter. Everyone knows that if O’Neal shot better from the free-throw line, the Lakers would be a much more serious threat to win games down the stretch.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Rice, 14; Rockets: Olajuwon, 9.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Horry, 3; Rockets: Pippen, 2.

*

Lakers’ biggest lead: 11; Houston’s biggest lead: 7

THIRD QUARTER: Lakers 77, Houston 70

Highlight Reel: Before he got into foul trouble and found himself sitting on the bench for much of the quarter, Bryant dazzled the crowd with two sweet layups after beating defender Michael Dickerson. The first was a baseline reverse that beat Olajuwon to the rim. Later, he added an impressive double-clutch scoop from the lane in front of Olajuwon.

What You Won’t Find in the Box Score: Until Bryant was sent to the bench because of foul trouble, Pippen’s offensive game was nonexistent. Pippen, however, got his shot going once Bryant sat down. Pippen made three of five shots and was much more active against softer defenders.

Winning Number: One. After Olajuwon made seven of eight shots in the first half, the Lakers did a much better job of denying him the ball in the third quarter. The Nigerian center who led the Rockets to NBA titles in 1994 and 1995 made his only shot of the quarter.

Wrong Number: Three. The number of minutes Bryant played in the quarter after picking up two quick fouls.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal, 8; Rockets: Dickerson, 11.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Horry, 3; Rockets: Barkley, 3.

*

Lakers’ biggest lead: 11; Houston’s did not lead

FOURTH QUARTER: Lakers 101, Houston 100

Highlight Reel: With the clock winding down, Rocket guard Cuttino Mobley dribbled around a pick and found himself face to face with O’Neal. Mobley drove past the Laker center, only to have his last-second layup attempt swatted away by O’Neal from behind.

What You Won’t Find in the Box Score: Veteran leadership is often overlooked but after Mobley made a mental mistake, Barkley and Sam Mack immediately talked to the rookie and calmed him down to help the Rockets make a late rally.

Winning Number: Two. Say what you want about Bryant’s shot selection or shooting percentage but the 20-year-old swingman is as cool as they come under pressure at the free-throw line. His two free throws with 5.3 seconds remaining gave the Lakers a 1-0 lead in the series.

Wrong Number: One. After making 12 of 16 shots from the floor and scoring 29 points, Rice went most of the fourth quarter without seeing the ball before launching an air ball on a three-point attempt in the final minute.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal, 9; Rockets: Barkley, 12.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Bryant, 3; O’Neal, 3; Rockets: Pippen, 3; Barkley, 2.

*

Lakers’ biggest lead: 9; Houson’s biggest lead: 3