SAN ANTONIO VS. LAKERS/ GAME 4 REPORT

FIRST QUARTER: LAKERS 25 SAN ANTONIO 25

Highlight reel: Shaquille O’Neal versus David Robinson is a compelling matchup no matter where they play. Neither is at his best physically, which makes it all the more intriguing. Give the advantage to Robinson in the early going. He ran better than his balky back allowed him in Game 3. He also played the same stout defense he did Friday, holding O’Neal to six points and two rebounds. Robinson dropped in a couple of jumpers and dunks and tipped in Antonio Daniels’ missed shot in 10 minutes--five more than he played in the first quarter Friday.

Not in the box score: The Spurs needed to be flawless to even the series and, in the early minutes, they were clicking. But the Lakers quickly warmed to their task. The result was a crisply played first quarter, perhaps the best 12 minutes of the series.

Winning numbers: Robinson’s eight points and three rebounds were just the sort of early surge the Spurs needed.

Wrong numbers: Two points, two assists and two fouls in eight minutes for Kobe Bryant, who led the Lakers’ fourth-quarter charge in Game 3.

Leading scorers: Lakers--Robert Horry 8, O’Neal 6; Spurs--Robinson 8, Tony Parker 7.

Leading rebounders: Lakers--Horry 4, O’Neal and Derek Fisher 2; Spurs--Robinson 3, Tim Duncan and Malik Rose 2.

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SECOND QUARTER: LAKERS 42 SAN ANTONIO 46

Highlight reel: This was Duncan’s quarter. He showed why he was selected the league’s MVP, scoring nine of the Spurs’ 21 points. Nothing fancy, but Duncan seems to excel at the finer points of the game. Getting to the free-throw line six times, and making five, was just what the Spurs needed to take a small lead by halftime. The Spurs couldn’t seem to hit anything in the quarter, but the Lakers couldn’t either and all that separated the teams at the break was Duncan’s superb play. It didn’t hurt that the Spurs continued to live at the line, shooting 10 free throws in the quarter to two for the Lakers.

Not in the box score: The leadership Duncan showed was a reminder of why the Spurs were a dangerous team going into Game 4. Nothing will come easily for the Lakers unless they find a way to bottle up Duncan. When all else fails, he seems to be the one San Antonio player capable of keeping them with the Lakers.

Winning number: Four points, the Spurs’ halftime advantage.

Wrong numbers: Bryant’s three-for-10 shooting in the quarter was troubling for the Lakers.

Leading scorers: Lakers--Bryant 7, O’Neal 6; Spurs--Duncan 9, Parker and Daniels 4.

Leading rebounders: Lakers--Bryant and Rick Fox 3; Spurs--Robinson 4, Rose 3.

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THIRD QUARTER: LAKERS 67 SAN ANTONIO 75

Highlight reel: Another monster quarter for Duncan resulted in a huge momentum surge for the Spurs. Duncan worked his magic with and without the ball. With it, he made jumpers and free throws, helping the Spurs to a 10-point lead late in the quarter. Without it, he helped the Spurs keep O’Neal and the Lakers from making a charge. Not to be overlooked: Bryant’s jumper rimmed out at the buzzer or the Lakers would have been within five points at quarter’s end.

Not in the box score: A reasonable explanation for the flagrant foul whistled on O’Neal against Daniels late in the quarter. O’Neal appeared to get a good chunk of the ball and perhaps a bit of his body on Daniels, but there was no reason for it to be judged anything more than two free throws. It sure got the crowd of 32,342 worked up, booing O’Neal as if he had banned margaritas from the restaurants along the Riverwalk.

Winning number: Twelve, the number of free throws the Spurs shot and made.

Wrong numbers: Three and nine, Bryant’s baskets and shots.

Leading scorers: Lakers--O’Neal 9, Bryant 7; Spurs--Duncan 12, Steve Smith 6.

Leading rebounders: Lakers--Samaki Walker 3, O’Neal and Fisher 2; Spurs--Duncan 3, Robinson 2.

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FOURTH QUARTER: LAKERS 87 SAN ANTONIO 85

Highlight reel: Fisher’s 18-foot jumper to beat the 24-second clock was too long. Bryant appeared from nowhere, leaping over Parker to snare the rebound. He must have landed and then launched himself over Robinson, but it happened so quickly that it simply didn’t register. In a flash, he scooped the ball into the basket to give the Lakers a two-point lead with 5.1 seconds remaining. At the other end, the Spurs hoped to counter by getting the ball to Duncan. He got it, all right, but only after Terry Porter stumbled and fumbled it to him. Duncan’s desperation shot at the buzzer was short of the mark. It was, however, a fitting summary of what happened to the Spurs during another fourth-quarter meltdown. San Antonio scored 10 points in the quarter.

Not in the box score: Are those springs on Bryant’s sneakers? Are those available in stores or only through a special offer on late-night TV? Just curious. Did he get up on the winning basket or what?

Winning number: The Lakers closed the game with a 13-1 surge.

Wrong number: The Spurs’ 16.7% shooting (three for 18).

Leading scorers: Lakers--Bryant 12, Horry 5; Spurs--Duncan and Bruce Bowen 3.

Leading rebounders: Lakers--Horry and O’Neal 5; Spurs--Duncan 4, Robinson 2.

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FIRST QUARTER

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