Game Report

FIRST QUARTER

LAKERS: 27

SACRAMENTO: 22

Highlight Reel: Kobe Bryant shook Sacramento’s Doug Christie with a crossover dribble and then attacked the rim with so much force, all Vlade Divac could do was duck his head when Bryant finished the play with a power slam.

It’s Not in the Box Score: There’s a reason Laker Coach Phil Jackson has worn earplugs for the last two games at Sacramento and King fans made sure he needed them by displaying their love for noise.

Winning Number: 23. Total points scored by guards Derek Fisher and Bryant, as their aggressive offense dominated the Kings early.

Wrong Number: Six. Both teams had this total of turnovers, which prevented the game from having any consistent flow on offense.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Bryant 13, Fisher 10. Kings: Christie 7; Peja Stojakovic, Chris Webber and Divac 4 each.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Bryant 5, Horace Grant 3. Kings: Divac 3, Stojakovic, Webber and Christie 2 each.

SECOND QUARTER

LAKERS: 53

SACRAMENTO: 59

Highlight Reel: Sacramento backup center Scot Pollard has had more than his share of problems against O’Neal in the series and he had another forgettable moment when the Laker big man gave him a facial with a power dunk.

It’s Not in the Box Score: How rookie swingman Hedo Turkoglu carried the King offense with 10 points when it looked as if the Lakers were primed to roll into halftime with a huge lead.

Winning Number: 20. Points scored by Sacramento over the final 4:27, which sparked the Kings to a 59-53 lead at halftime.

Wrong Number: Three. Fouls called on O’Neal in the first half, forcing him to the bench early.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 11, Bryant 7. Kings: Turkoglu 10; Stojakovic and Webber 9 each.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal 2. Kings: Turkoglu 3; Stojakovic and Webber 2 each.

THIRD QUARTER

LAKERS: 80

SACRAMENTO: 84

Highlight Reel: Christie is one of the best all-around athletes in the league and he showed off his skills by shaking free from Bryant and weaving his way through the Lakers’ halfcourt defense for an acrobatic one-handed layup.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Bryant came out gunning to start the second half and Divac was ready, rejecting back-to-back layup attempts, which led to an open three-point basket for Christie, who took advantage of Bryant’s failure to get back on defense.

Winning Number: 11. Offensive rebounds grabbed by the Lakers, compared to only one by the Kings.

Wrong Number: Zero. Points scored by Sacramento point guard Jason Williams, who again disappeared after the first quarter.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Bryant 13, O’Neal 5. Kings: Webber and Stojakovic 6 each; Christie 5.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Bryant 8, O’Neal 4. Kings: Webber 3; Divac and Pollard 2 each.

FOURTH QUARTER

LAKERS: 119

SACRAMENTO: 113

Highlight Reel: It doesn’t matter whether you love him or hate him, Bryant is a tremendous talent and he gave Christie another up-close look when he made a tough fadeaway jumper that turned into a three-point play, thanks to a foul called on the Sacramento guard.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Sacramento fans lost a lot of their spirit early in the quarter after forward Robert Horry made a three-point basket to give the Lakers a five-point lead.

Winning Number: 13. Combined points scored off the bench by Brian Shaw and Horry, who both stepped up to make key baskets for the Lakers when they took command of the game.

Wrong Number: Six. Fouls picked up by O’Neal, who had to leave the game with 3:09 remaining.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Bryant 15, Horry 8. Kings: Turkoglu 12, Divac 8.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Bryant 3, O’Neal 2. Kings: Divac 5.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

IT’S ON THE LINE

Shaquille O’Neal’s free-throw shooting will be critical to the Lakers’ run for another championship. His performance (attempts black, makes in gray).