CHARTING THE LEAD: A look at the Lakers’ lead or deficit by the minute

Highlight Reel: The Rockets looked like they were ready to send the series back to L.A. when Scottie Pippen pushed the ball upcourt on the left side and passed across the court to Cuttino Mobley, who touch-passed to Charles Barkley for the jam and a 14-12 lead.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Laker Coach Kurt Rambis wasn’t much of a leaper when he was the idol of the Rambis Youth. But he showed some serious hops while futilely imploring his team to shoot before the 24-second clock expired with about six minutes left.

Winning Number: 13. The number of points the never-shy Kobe Bryant scored in the quarter. Bryant, in fact, scored the Lakers’ final 13 points to give his team a 25-21 lead.

Wrong Number: Eight. That’s how many three-point shots the Rockets missed.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Bryant 13, Shaquille O’Neal 8; Rockets: Barkley 8, Pippen 6.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Derek Fisher 5, Rockets: Pippen 9.

SECOND QUARTER

Highlight Reel: Bryant threw down a spectacular dunk on a follow shot with 4:35 left after grabbing the rim with his left hand. The basket did not count, but it was still a productive play for the Lakers. Bryant came down on Hakeem Olajuwon, who hurt his knee and left the game for the rest of the half.

It’s Not in the Box Score: O’Neal, usually grumbling about opponents’ Hack-a-Shaq scheme, actually grinned after he was fouled while making a basket. The smile broadened when teammate Derek Harper landed a hellacious chest bump. Shaq then rattled in a free throw.

Winning Number: 11. The amount of unanswered points the Lakers scored while turning a 32-27 lead into a 43-27 advantage midway through the quarter.

Wrong Number: One. Olajuwon’s rebound total in seven minutes.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 7, Rick Fox 5; Rockets: Barkley 5, Mobley 4.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: J.R. Reid 4; Rockets: Pippen 5.

THIRD QUARTER

Highlight Reel: J.R. Reid, with a move suitable for the WWF if not the NBA, cut off Pippen on a drive and body-slammed him to the floor. Pippen came down hard on his back and and made only one of two free throws after the flagrant foul. He then kicked the ball out of bounds on the ensuing possession.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Barkley picked up a chair from the Rockets’ bench during a timeout and slammed it to the floor. He also stomped on his mouthpiece after drawing a foul. Unfortunately, some might argue, it was not in his mouth at the time.

Winning Number: Five. Shots made by O’Neal in the quarter in six attempts.

Wrong Number: Five. Free throws missed by O’Neal in eight attempts.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 13; Rockets: Pippen 7.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Reid 3; Rockets: Barkley and Olajuwon 4.

FOURTH QUARTER

Highlight Reel: OK, so the highlight reel is on replay. Harper drives the lane and dishes off to Bryant. For some reason, there’s no one within three feet of Kobe. He takes one giant step and tomahawks the ball through the hoop. Lakers lead, 89-72, with 3:41 left. The series, for all practical purposes, is over.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Glen Rice, in street clothes because of a sore right elbow, did not miss a single shot from the bench. No word yet on whether he was unhappy because the Lakers didn’t get him the ball anyway.

Winning Number: Seven. Points scored by Robert Horry.

Wrong Number: Zero. Games remaining in the Rockets’ season.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 9, Robert Horry 7; Rockets: Olajuwon 8, Sam Mack 6.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal 5, Rockets: Olajuwon 3.