One-Loss Month Escalates Talk of New Dynasty

It was another one-loss month for the Lakers, who couldn’t seem to find a way to go through a whole month undefeated. Included were two victories over Miami and one each over Indiana, New York and Philadelphia. It was during March that talk of a dynasty began in earnest, and the Lakers’ performance in the month only encouraged that speculation.

Game of the month: There were three, actually. The Lakers ended a five-game trip with games on consecutive nights against New York and Miami. Against the Knicks, O’Neal scored 43 points in a 92-85 victory, and the next night in Miami, Rice scored 28 points to lead the team to a 100-89 win. The amazing thing about that game: Only five Lakers scored. Rice, O’Neal (28), Bryant (23), Horry (12) and Harper (9). But if it is individual performances you are interested in, look no further than the Lakers’ 123-103 victory over the Clippers on March 6. In that win, O’Neal scored 61.

Who’s hot: Take a look at O’Neal’s numbers in March: 33.8 points, 59% from the field and 60.8% from the free-throw line. Oh, he also averaged 12.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

Who’s not: Rice averaged only 14.1 points a game and shot only 41.4% from the field as his slide toward mediocrity began.

Record in month: 15-1.

Quotebook: “This team is making me a believer. They are making me look good.” Jackson after the victory over Miami.

Pacific Division standings:

1. Lakers: 61-12, .836

2. Portland: 53-19, .736

3. Phoenix: 47-25, .653

4. Sacramento: 41-30, .577

5. Seattle: 41-31, .569

6. Golden State: 17-56, .233

7. Clippers: 14-59, .192

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Best record in NBA:

1. Lakers: 61-12, .836

2. Portland: 53-19, .736

3. Utah: 49-23, .681

4. Indiana: 48-24, .667

5. San Antonio: 47-25, .653

5. Phoenix: 47-25, .653

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NBA scoring leaders:

1. Shaquille O’Neal, Lakers: 29.1

2. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers: 28.9

3. Grant Hill, Detroit Pistons: 26.3

4. Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors: 26.1

5. Karl Malone, Utah Jazz: 25.9

GAME BY GAME

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Date Score Leading Scorer Record 1 Vancouver, W, 103-91 Bryant, 27 47-11 3 Indiana, W, 107-92 O’Neal, 31 48-11 5 Miami, W, 93-80 Rice, 23 49-11 6 at Clippers, W, 123-103 O’Neal, 61 50-11 9 at Golden State, W, 109-92 Bryant, 30 51-11 12 Sacramento, W, 109-106 Bryant, 40 52-11 13 at Denver, W, 118-108 O’Neal, 40 53-11 16 at Washington, L, 109-102 O’Neal, 40 53-12 17 at Detroit, W, 110-82 O’Neal, 35 54-12 19 at New York, W, 92-85 O’Neal, 43 55-12 20 at Miami, W, 100-89 O’Neal, Rice, 28 56-12 22 Golden State, W, 119-96 O’Neal, 22 57-12 24 Phoenix, W, 109-101 O’Neal, 40 58-12 26 at Sacramento, W, 90-89 O’Neal, 34 59-12 29 at Vancouver, W, 108-99 Bryant, 28 60-12 31 Philadelphia, W, 100-88 O’Neal, 37 61-12

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