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Game Report

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Charting the Lead: A look at the Lakers’ lead or deficit by the minute.

First Quarter

Philadelphia 25, Lakers 25

Highlight Reel: With the Lakers leading, 16-15, Shaquille O’Neal blocks a shot by Tyrone Hill and finishes the play at the other end with a layup that puts them ahead, 18-15.

It’s Not in the Box Score: The Lakers supposedly wanted to make Allen Iverson go to his left, believing he was vulnerable on that side. Ask Derek “Left in the Dust” Fisher how vulnerable Iverson is to his left, after Iverson blew past him again and again.

Winning Numbers: Six for seven--O’Neal’s free-throw shooting. It bested his four-for-five performance from the floor.

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Wrong Numbers: 00, time that replays showed remained on 24-second clock when O’Neal released a jump shot late in the quarter. Despite the protests of 76er Coach Larry Brown, the basket counted.

Leading Scorers: Lakers, O’Neal 14, Fisher 5; 76ers, Iverson 10, Dikembe Mutombo, 8.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers, O’Neal 4, Rick Fox 3; 76ers, Mutombo 4, Iverson 3.

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Second Quarter

Philadelphia 45, Lakers 55

Highlight Reel: Bryant hits jumpers from outside. He penetrates the lane and splits defenders to make tough layups. He makes seven in a row and eight of 11, a one-man destruction force.

It’s Not in the Box Score: 76er guard Aaron McKie sprained his right thumb while guarding Bryant. He had to come out of the game to get it taped, breaking up the three-guard set Brown had been playing. He took the tape off soon after he returned because it hindered his shooting.

Winning Numbers: 12 for 16, Laker shooting from the field after starting the quarter 0 for 5.

Wrong Numbers: Two for seven. Iverson, dogged by Tyronn Lue, gets fewer shots than usual and three fewer than the 10 he got in first quarter.

Leading Scorers: Lakers, Bryant 16, Lue 5; 76ers, Eric Snow 10, Mutombo and Iverson, 4 each.

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Leading Rebounders: Lakers, Brian Shaw 4, O’Neal and Robert Horry, 2 each; 76ers, Mutombo 3, Iverson 2.

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Third Quarter

Philadelphia 66, Lakers 73

Highlight Reel: McKie has a bad shoulder, sprained right thumb and chip fracture in his right ankle but manages to power to the basket for a running jump shot and draws the foul with 1:24 left. He makes the free throw and cuts the Laker lead to 71-64, giving his team a visible surge of energy.

It’s Not in the Box Score: The 76er fans must have used all of their energy in the first half to boo Bryant’s homecoming. They came alive when a 7-0 run by the 76ers cut the Laker lead to 63-58.

Winning Numbers: 16 of 21, points scored by Iverson and Mutombo of the 76ers’ total for the quarter. No other 76er scored until McKie’s layup.

Wrong Number: Four, the number of fouls O’Neal had by the middle of the quarter, including two in quick succession.

Leading Scorers: Lakers, Bryant 8, O’Neal 6; 76ers, Mutombo 9, Iverson 7.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers, Horace Grant 4, O’Neal and Bryant, 3 each; 76ers, Iverson and Snow, 4 each.

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Fourth Quarter

Philadelphia 91, Lakers 96

Highlight Reel: Less than a minute left. The 76er trap keeps the Lakers from getting the ball to Bryant. Shaw finds an open Horry deep on the left side and he swishes a three-pointer, giving the Lakers a 92-88 lead with 47.1 seconds left. Horry makes four consecutive free throws down the stretch.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Although Bryant is exhausted--he played all 48 minutes--he makes a smart read and helps Horry stop Iverson from driving to the basket in the waning seconds.

Winning Numbers: 3 for 3 and 4 for 4, Horry’s shooting from the floor and the free-throw line, respectively.

Wrong Numbers: 6, fouls called on Fisher and on O’Neal. Both fouled out with less than three minutes to play.

Leading Scorers: Lakers, Horry 12, O’Neal 6; 76ers, Iverson 14, Kevin Ollie, 3.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers, O’Neal and Bryant, 3 each; 76ers, Mutombo and Iverson, 3 each.

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