Insights

The Scene

Staples Center fans sensed a Laker victory early as they gave the team a standing ovation a minute before the opening tip. Most of the fans arrived early with only a handful of empty seats in the lower section.

The atmosphere dulled after Portland got off to a strong start and fans became more concerned about who was at the game instead of watching the game. This was especially true when different people were shown on the video scoreboard during timeouts, which drew louder cheers than a power dunk by Shaquille O’Neal.

But as the game wore on, the crowd became active and seemed to like riding Portland’s Scottie Pippen with a chant that rhymed with “Pippen Rocks.”

Moment of day

Although the Lakers never led, they had everything set for a game-turning rally midway through the third quarter. But the Trail Blazers did not fold, riding Steve Smith’s perimeter shooting, Rasheed Wallace’s inside scoring and unexpected points from Detlef Schrempf. Portland not only held off the Lakers but held a five-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

Matching up

When Pippen is aggressive on offense, the Trail Blazers are a difficult team to defend. Pippen opens the court for Wallace’s inside game and creates cutting lanes for players like Damon Stoudamire and Steve Smith.

But maybe the biggest thing an aggressive Pippen does is put pressure on Kobe Bryant, who may have been named to the all-defensive team but has a tendency to get into foul trouble when he is beaten off the dribble. Pippen forced Bryant to the bench early in the first quarter with two fouls and finished the quarter with 12 points.

By the second half, Bryant was frustrated because of foul trouble and Pippen maintained control running the Trail Blazer offense as a point forward.