FIRST QUARTER

By LONNIE WHITE

May 11, 2000 12 AM PT

Phoenix: 26

Lakers: 24

Highlight Reel: If Shaquille O’Neal can perfect two moves he made against Luc Longley, he really will be the “Big Aristotle.” O’Neal first made a nearly impossible fade-away shot from behind the backboard and then moments later, he made a sweeping Kareem-like hook shot from the lane.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Phoenix did not wait to double-team O’Neal, but the Lakers made them pay on their first two possessions. After two passes out of the post, Glen Rice and Ron Harper made open jump shots for the Lakers’ first two baskets.

Winning Number: 11. Points scored by Phoenix hot-shooting forward Cliff Robinson in the quarter after struggling in Game 1.

Wrong Number: Two. Fouls called on Kobe Bryant in the quarter, which limited him to only six minutes of playing time.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 8. Suns: Robinson 11.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: A.C. Green and O’Neal each with 4. Suns: Shawn Marion 3.

Lakers’ biggest lead was 8

Phoenix’s biggest lead was 4

Second Quarter

Phoenix: 44

Lakers: 50

Highlight Reel: O’Neal powered to the basket only to miss an easy layup attempt, but instead of watching his shot go long, O’Neal gathered in the rebound and slammed home a dunk in the faces of Corie Blount and Robinson.

It’s Not in the Box Score: O’Neal may be better known for his dunking, but he is no slouch when it comes to rebounding. After a missed three-point attempt by Robinson, O’Neal slid from the right side of the key to the left and then outjumped Blount for the ball in textbook style.

Winning Number: 11. The combined points scored in the quarter by Brian Shaw and Robert Horry, who stepped up after Bryant got into foul trouble.

Wrong Number: Three. The number of fouls on Bryant, forcing him to the bench early in the quarter as he finished the half with only six points in 11 minutes.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 13. Suns: Marion 5.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal 5. Suns: Marion 5.

Lakers’ biggest lead was 8

Phoenix’s biggest lead was 4

Third Quarter

Phoenix: 65

Lakers: 74

Highlight Reel: Jump shooting with a hand in your face is a lost art in the NBA, but Rice put on a clinic on how to do it right in the quarter. He scored nine points, including three long jump shots over Phoenix defenders.

It’s Not in the Box Score: On two consecutive Phoenix possessions, Harper was called for fouls trying to defend Penny Hardaway. Things got a little heated after the second hard foul by Harper when the two players exchanged words fit for cable only.

Winning Number: One. The total offensive rebounds in the quarter by the Suns, who pulled down only six overall compared to the Lakers’ 12.

Wrong Number: Zero. The combined points scored by Laker starters Green and Harper, who teamed for only one attempt in the quarter.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Rice 9. Suns: Hardaway 8.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal 6. Suns: Jason Kidd and Rodney Rogers each with 2.

Lakers’ biggest lead was 13

Phoenix did not lead

Fourth Quarter

Phoenix: 96

Lakers: 97

Highlight Reel: Robinson finished with a career playoff scoring high of 30 points and maybe his best basket came against O’Neal. After taking a pass from Kidd, Robinson swooped under O’Neal to score a backhand layup.

It’s Not in the Box Score: The Suns picked up the tempo with a press at the start of the quarter. Two quick baskets turned a nine-point game into a five-point game.

Winning Number: One. Bryant missed his first two shots from the field in the quarter but he made the one basket that counted most when he hit his game-winner in the final seconds.

Wrong Numbers: Four. The combined total of missed free throws in the final two minutes by the Lakers, with O’Neal missing two and Harper and Bryant each missing one.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 10. Suns: Robinson 13.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal 5. Suns: Blount 6.

Lakers’ biggest lead was 9

Phoenix’s biggest lead was 1

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

SUNS’ BIG 3

HARDAWAY

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Wed. Playoffs 27 Points 21.3 4 Rebounds 5.7 8 Assists 5.8

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KIDD

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