Road Test

Now that the Lakers’ hopes for a perfect postseason have been dashed and they have lost the home-court advantage (and they might have been fortunate to get a split against the 76ers at Staples Center), the series will be in Philadelphia for the next three games. And the change is as much with the attitude as it is the site, as Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant jawed at the end of Game 2. The defending champions know they are in a brawl, and it might take a knockout punch to retain the title.

Special Pullout Section, D9-16

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THE SERIES

Game 1: 76ers 107, Lakers 101 (OT)

Game 2: Lakers 98, 76ers 89

Game 3: Today at Philadelphia, 4:30 p.m.

Game 4: Wednesday at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Game 5: Friday at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Game 6*: June 18 at Lakers, 6 p.m.

Game 7*: June 20 at Lakers, 6 p.m.

* if necessary; TV: Channel 4

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CENTERPIECE: Saboteur? Not This Kobe

If Laker Coach Phil Jackson had any proof to back up his statement that Kobe Bryant might have been the bad seed at Lower Merion High, he didn’t get it from the coach, the assistant coach or any of the teachers who had nothing but good things to say about Bryant during his prep days. D9

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