Advertisement

Lakers Hit Road; Road Hits Back

Share

You thought the Lakers were unbeatable? Think again.

With a chance to close out the series, the Lakers instead showed their weaknesses, losing Game 3 to the Kings at Arco Arena, 99-91.

Shaquille O’Neal struggled with his shooting touch both at the free-throw line and from the floor, and the Kings finally got big contributions from the “Bench Mob.”

O’Neal made only eight of 22 shots and five of 14 free throws for 21 points. Kobe Bryant scored 35, but it wasn’t enough after the Kings used an 18-2 run to put the game away in the fourth quarter.

Advertisement

Chris Webber regained his form as a Laker killer, scoring 29 points. But the rally was led by Predrag Stojakovic, who rebounded from a slump and scored 19 points, 10 in the fourth quarter, and Tony Delk, who scored 10 of his 11 points and grabbed four offensive rebounds during the run.

Until the fourth quarter, the Lakers showcased many of their usual winning points.

Despite his poor shooting, O’Neal grabbed 17 rebounds and kept the Kings from venturing near the basket. The defense was solid enough to slow the Kings’ offense to a jog, and the Lakers led, 71-66, after three quarters.

The Kings took the lead with 9:43 to play, but the Lakers rallied behind Bryant for a five-point lead before the Kings’ big run.

With O’Neal struggling, Bryant raised his performance, but no one else did. The Laker reserves were outscored by Sacramento’s, 34-11, and Rice was inconsistent, making five of 13 shots.

IN QUOTES

“It doesn’t feel right. It feels awkward. We had a chance to close it out. We had this game in our hands. We basically just handed it to them. That’s embarrassing.”

KOBE BRYANT,

Laker guard

THE SERIES

Lakers lead, 2-1

Advertisement