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

Highlight Reel: The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant may not always make the right play, but he sure knows how to make spectacular ones. Against San Antonio’s Sean Elliott, Bryant took the ball from the left side of the key, drove to his right with the ball cradled like a football and then banked in a soft runner.

It’s Not in the Box Score: The number of times Laker players tried to do everything themselves on offense. With Bryant leading the way, nearly every starter from Derek Fisher to Shaquille O’Neal to Glen Rice took turns going one-on-one in the poorly played quarter by the Lakers.

Winning Number: Eight. One of the main reasons why San Antonio led by 10 points after one was the Spurs’ eight assists to the Lakers’ two.

Wrong Number: Two. O’Neal had only two points with two fouls in six minutes of play.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Bryant, 6; Spurs: Tim Duncan, 10.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: J.R. Reid, 5; Spurs: Avery Johnson, 3.

SECOND QUARTER

Highlight Reel: The Lakers’ Rick Fox does not get much credit for his nimbleness, but he made a basket that has to rate as one of the season’s top shots. With the 24-second clock running down, Fox made a 360-degree turn to avoid a leaping Spur and banked in a two-pointer.

It’s Not in the Box Score: The steady wrestling match between the Lakers’ Reid and San Antonio’s David Robinson. They bumped, banged and grabbed each other until Robinson finally blew up at the officials after being called for a foul following a collision.

Winning Number: 11. The minutes played by Fox in the quarter. Fox not only scored four points but also played solid defense on Duncan.

Wrong Number: 10. Free throws made by San Antonio in the quarter.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Rice, 10; Spurs: Malik Rose, 8.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Rice and Robert Horry, 2; Spurs: Rose, 3.

THIRD QUARTER

Highlight Reel: Duncan showed why he’s considered the game’s top all-around young big man when during a key Spur run, he lured three Laker defenders to him with a baseline move before passing to Robinson, who finished the play with a dunk.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Knowing Xs and O’s is not how Kurt Rambis got the job as interim coach, but he has the Lakers executing better in their halfcourt offense. Rambis had the Lakers run several plays to get O’Neal involved after a subpar first half.

Winning Number: 10. Points scored by O’Neal, who finished his quarter with a monster dunk off a nifty pass from Fox.

Wrong Number: Zero. Laker fastbreak points in the quarter.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal, 10; Spurs: Robinson, 6.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal, 5; Spurs: Duncan and Robinson, 2.

FOURTH QUARTER

Highlight Reel: Johnson may sometimes be an offensive liability for the Spurs, but he made a key defensive play that may have won the game. With San Antonio ahead by one, Johnson deflected an inbounds pass off the Lakers’ Derek Fisher.

It’s Not in the Box Score: It will read as one basket by Robinson, but he made a late score that was the type of pressure play many critics said he couldn’t make. He pump-faked O’Neal off his feet and slid in for an open two-hand dunk.

Winning Number: Three. The dramatic three-point basket by Bryant from deep in the right corner that gave the Lakers a temporary one-point lead in the final minute.

Wrong Number: Two. Free throws Bryant missed moments after his three-pointer.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Bryant, 7; Spurs: Duncan, Elliott and Robinson, 4.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Bryant, 3; Spurs: Robinson and Ellie, 3.