GAME REPORT

First Quarter

Lakers: 22

Philadelphia: 14

Highlight Reel: Kobe Bryant drives to the basket with a nice scooping motion, but the ball won’t go. Shaquille O’Neal is there to grab the rebound and slam it home for an 18-10 Laker lead. They reverse roles a few seconds later, with Bryant following up on O’Neal’s missed hook and tipping it in for a 20-10 lead.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Former Laker George Lynch returns to Philadelphia’s lineup a month after breaking a bone in his foot. The spirit was willing, but his defense was weak.

Winning Numbers: 9-0--The Lakers’ edge over the 76ers in second-chance points. 18-10--The Lakers’ edge in points in the paint.

Wrong Numbers: One for six--Allen Iverson’s slow start.

Leading Scorers: Lakers, O’Neal 9, Rick Fox 5; 76ers, Iverson eight, Dikembe Mutombo four.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers, O’Neal eight, Horace Grant five; 76ers, Jumaine Jones three, Tyrone Hill two.

Second Quarter

Lakers: 51

Philadelphia: 37

Highlight Reel: O’Neal teams with Ron Harper on a play that appears to break the 76ers’ spirit. Despite being triple-teamed, O’Neal manages to pass to Harper, who makes a layup and draws a foul for an 11-point lead.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Incensed at being called for a reach-in foul while defending Bryant on a fastbreak, Iverson sprints down court so the referees can’t hear him complain and hit him with a technical foul. If you can’t say something nice . . .

Winning Numbers: Three--Robert Horry, Harper and Tyronn Lue make consecutive three-point shots within 1:21 as the Lakers pull out to a 46-29 lead.

Wrong Numbers: 11 of 37--Number of points scored for the 76ers by players other than Iverson and Mutombo.

Leading Scorers: Lakers, O’Neal 11, Harper eight; 76ers, Iverson and Mutombo seven each.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers, Bryant four, O’Neal three; 76ers, Aaron McKie, Eric Snow and Matt Geiger two each.

Third Quarter

Lakers: 77

Philadelphia: 59

Highlight Reel: Laker guard Derek Fisher steps in front of Iverson to intercept a pass. While Iverson picks himself up off the floor, Fisher and Bryant sprint away, then Fisher feeds Bryant for an emphatic dunk that gives the Lakers their largest lead at 70-48.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Fans at the First Union Center deserve points for loyalty. Although Bryant’s dunk silences them briefly, they regain their voices and try to ignore the 18-point deficit the 76ers face at the end of the quarter.

Winning Numbers: Nine--number of assists credited to Bryant through three quarters. 10-1--Lakers’ edge in second-chance points. One--Number of turnovers committed by the Lakers.

Wrong Numbers: 0--Points scored by McKie in 11 minutes, and the number of shots blocked by the 76ers.

Leading Scorers: Lakers, O’Neal 10, Bryant nine; 76ers, Mutombo eight, Hill five.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers, O’Neal and Bryant two each; 76ers, Mutombo six, Hill four.

Fourth Quarter

Philadelphia: 100

Lakers: 86

Highlight Reel: The 76ers claw and scratch and score the first 11 points of the quarter. But just as things get interesting, O’Neal makes a one-hander, Brian Shaw makes a three-pointer and so does Lue.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Laker Coach Phil Jackson calls a timeout 25 seconds into the quarter. The Lakers’ lead is 16, but Jackson was clearly worried--and with good reason, because the 76ers eventually moved within six.

Winning Numbers: Six for nine--Iverson’s shooting from the floor. Five for 10--The Lakers’ three-point shooting.

Wrong Numbers: One for three--the 76ers’ shooting from three-point range. One--number of technical fouls called on Laker assistant coach Jim Cleamons.

Leading Scorers: Lakers, Horry six, O’Neal and Bryant four each; 76ers, Iverson 16, Snow six.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers, Harper three, Horry two; 76ers, Rodney Buford three, Snow two.