FIRST QUARTER

Highlight Reel: Laker point guard Derek Fisher drove the length of the court with Houston’s Cuttino Mobley in pursuit and made a no-look pass to Shaquille O’Neal for a layup.

It’s Not in the Box Score: On the Lakers’ first possession, every starter touched the ball before J.R. Reid powered in a basket over Houston forward Charles Barkley.

Winning Number: Fifteen. The number of rebounds the Lakers grabbed in the quarter compared to only eight for the Rockets. By game’s end, Houston would turn this around and win the battle inside, with Barkley getting 23 rebounds.

Wrong Number: 7:31. The amount of time left in the first quarter when the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant went to the bench after being called for his second foul while guarding Scottie Pippen.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal, 8; Rockets: Barkley, 9.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Reid, 5; Rockets: Pippen and Barkley, 3 each.

SECOND QUARTER

Highlight Reel: Pippen brought the crowd to its feet when he worked against Bryant for a baseline spin move that he finished with a right-hand dunk.

It’s Not in the Box Score: The size advantage O’Neal, who is listed at 7-foot-1 and 315 pounds, had over Barkley, who is 6-6 and 252, when the Rocket veteran took over the assignment of guarding the Laker center.

Winning number: Three. The amount of fouls Olajuwon had when he went to the bench with seven minutes remaining. Olajuwon had only three points.

Wrong Numbers: Nine and 10. After being a non-factor for the first two games, Pippen played inspired ball and scored 10 of his 15 first-half points in the quarter. Pippen also had six rebounds.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Robert Horry, 5; Rockets: Pippen, 10.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal, 2; Rockets: Pippen, 6.

THIRD QUARTER

Highlight Reel: Glen Rice stole the ball, dribbled behind his back to avoid Pippen at halfcourt, powered past Olajuwon to the front the of the rim and scored while being fouled by Barkley. He made the free throw to complete a three-point play.

It’s Not in the Box Score: The hustle Fisher displayed to break up a Houston fastbreak. Barkley had the ball with Sam Mack on his left and Bryant as the lone Laker defender. But by the time Barkley passed to Mack, Fisher dived into the play and broke up what would have been a layup.

Winning Number: Four. Rice is the Lakers’ best perimeter shooter, and after getting only five shots in the first half, he had four in the third quarter, making two.

Wrong Number: Seven. The number of shot attempts Pippen and Barkley had in the third quarter as they combined for 15 of the Rockets’ 22 points.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 8; Rockets: Pippen, 10.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Bryant 4; Barkley 8.

FOURTH QUARTER

Highlight Reel: Colliding with Barkley’s head can never be a pleasant experience and Houston guard Brent Price discovered that when he ran into his teammate and suffered a cut inside his mouth.

It’s Not in the Box Score: The Houston strategy of fouling O’Neal whenever he touched the ball inside and sending the Laker center to the free-throw line. O’Neal made eight of 16 foul shots.

Winning Number: Three. O’Neal had nine blocked shots in the first two games but only one through three quarters. O’Neal then had three in the fourth to raise his total in the series to 13.

Wrong Number: Zero. Rice’s point total in the fourth quarter. He had four shots. Rice made five of 13 shots for the game and finished with 13 points.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 6; Rockets: Pippen 12.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal 4; Rockets: Barkley 7.