FIRST QUARTER

By LONNIE WHITE

June 20, 2000 12 AM PT

Indiana: 26

Lakers: 24

Highlight Reel: With less than a second remaining in the quarter, Indiana’s Mark Jackson caught an inbounds pass one step inside the halfcourt line and knocked down a hook shot in Kobe Bryant’s face to give the Pacers a two-point lead at the buzzer.

It’s Not in the Box Score: The Lakers did not force the ball inside to Shaquille O’Neal early, instead passing it around the perimeter to get players such as Glen Rice more involved in the offense.

Winning Number: Nine. Points scored in the quarter by power forward Dale Davis, who gave the Pacers a couple of rebound dunks.

Wrong Number: Two. Fouls called on Jalen Rose, who made his only two shots before taking a seat on the bench.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Bryant and Rice each with 7. Pacers: Davis 9.

Leading Rebounders:Lakers: O’Neal 4. Pacers: Davis 4.

Lakers’ biggest lead was 2

Indiana’s biggest lead was 3

Second Quarter

Indiana: 56

Lakers: 53

Highlight Reel: O’Neal caught the ball on the left block, spun between Sam Perkins and Austin Croshere for a power dunk and then bullied his way over Croshere and was called for a technical foul.

It’s Not in the Box Score: O’Neal carried the Lakers for most of the quarter with his scoring and then tried to excite Los Angeles fans by waving his arms to get more noise in a subdued Staples Center.

Winning Number: 15. Points scored in the quarter by O’Neal, who made seven of 10 field goals.

Wrong Number: 14. Points scored in the quarter by Lakers other than O’Neal, as they combined to shoot three for eight from the field.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 15. Pacers: Croshere 10.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Bryant 4. Pacers: Croshere 3.

Lakers did not lead

Indiana’s biggest lead was 12

Third Quarter

Indiana: 84

Lakers: 79

Highlight Reel: Davis continued his strong all-around play when from the left post he made a timely backdoor pass to Reggie Miller, who beat Ron Harper for a layup which turned into a three-point play.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Every Pacer touched the ball on one possession as Mark Jackson passed to Jalen Rose, who passed to Davis, who passed to Rik Smits, who found Miller open for a three-point basket.

Winning Number: 10. Three-pointers made through three quarters by the Pacers in 20 attempts.

Wrong Number: Five. Total free throws missed in the quarter by the Lakers in eight attempts.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 7. Pacers: Miller 10.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: A.C. Green, Harper, Bryant and O’Neal each with 2. Pacers: Smits 4.

Lakers did not lead

Indiana’s biggest lead was 6

Fourth Quarter

Indiana: 111

Lakers: 116

Highlight Reel: O’Neal tried his best to put the game away midway in the quarter when he powered his way down the lane and threw down consecutive two-hand rebound dunks off missed layups by Bryant and Brian Shaw.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Rick Fox has had his share of run-ins in the finals with Miller and he had to love knocking down a long three-pointer in Miller’s face to give the Lakers a four-point lead.

Winning Number: 30. Points scored on three-point baskets in the game by the Lakers, who made 10 of 17 from behind the arc.

Wrong Number: Two. Points scored in the game by Smits, who did not give the Pacers much by missing seven of eight field goal attempts.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 13. Pacers: Rose 10.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal 4. Pacers: Jackson 4.

Lakers’ biggest lead was 7

Indiana’s biggest lead was 6

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

LAKERS’ BIG 3

O’NEAL

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Mon. Series 41 Points 38.0 12 Rebounds 16.7 1 Assists 2.3

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