Game 6 Report

FIRST QUARTER

MINNESOTA 30 LAKERS 25

Highlight reel: There’s nothing like a perfectly executed play from the Lakers’ triangle offense, and Shaquille O’Neal and Devean George did just that late in the quarter. With his back to the basket and while standing at the left side of the free-throw line, O’Neal delivered a perfect bounce pass to George, who finished his sharp cut through the lane with a power dunk.

Not in the box score: The number of Staples Center fans who want to be noticed. If they’re not strolling the aisles looking for celebrities, they’re standing up waving with a cellular phone smashed to their ears. And you wonder why Los Angeles fans are hated so much.

Winning number: 14, points scored by Minnesota’s Troy Hudson, who made five of seven field goals, including two three-point baskets.

Wrong number: Zero, second-chance points scored by the Lakers, who grabbed only two offensive boards and were outrebounded, 15-9, in the quarter.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- O’Neal 11, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, 5. Timberwolves -- Hudson 14.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 6. Timberwolves -- Kevin Garnett 7.

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SECOND QUARTER

MINNESOTA 43 LAKERS 47

Highlight reel: Fisher may have his problems trying to keep up with a quick guard such as Hudson, but he knows how to step up and make plays in crunch time. With the Lakers fighting to take a lead into halftime, Fisher made sure they did with a steal and 20-foot jump shot from the corner all within the final minute of the first half.

Not in the box score: The temper tantrum by Bryant when a foul was not called on one of his wild drives to the basket. With a Minnesota defender blocking his way, Bryant tried to initiate contact and threw up a weak no-look shot that missed not only the rim but also the backboard.

Winning number: One, the number of turnovers committed by the Lakers, who had eight assists on 11 baskets in the quarter.

Wrong number: Seven, the number of turnovers committed by the Timberwolves, who had two assists on five baskets in the quarter.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- O’Neal 8, Bryant 6. Timberwolves -- Garnett 4.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- George and Robert Horry 3. Timberwolves -- Wally Szczerbiak 2.

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THIRD QUARTER

MINNESOTA 63 LAKERS 69

Highlight reel: Horry doesn’t get the chance to show off his athletic skills too often, but he did just that against Garnett with a nifty basket early in the quarter. After gathering in a pass from Bryant, Horry drove the lane and finished with a spinning layup that brought back memories of his days at Alabama.

Not in the box score: The loud ovation Fisher received when he landed on top of the media table underneath the Lakers’ basket after making a hustle play to help break up a Minnesota fastbreak. Fisher finished the quarter with five points and played good defense on Hudson.

Winning number: Zero, the number of baskets made by Hudson, the Timberwolves’ most explosive scorer.

Wrong number: Five, the number of free throws missed by the Lakers in six attempts in the quarter. Also, 13-2, the Timberwolves’ run at the end of the quarter to cut a 17-point lead to six.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Horry and Bryant 6, Fisher 5. Timberwolves -- Kendall Gill, Joe Smith and Garnett 4.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 6. Timberwolves -- Garnett 3.

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FOURTH QUARTER

MINNESOTA 85 LAKERS 101

Highlight reel: George could not have picked a better time to become a fan favorite than in the playoffs, and he gave fans something to cheer about midway in the quarter. After sprinting down the court to join a Laker break, George caught an alley-oop pass from Bryant and finished the play in style with a two-hand dunk.

Not in the box score: The sad expression on the faces of Gill, Szczerbiak and Anthony Peeler after Bryant took turns knocking down one turnaround jump shot after another on them to blow the game open at the start of the quarter.

Winning number: 59.1, the shooting percentage of the Lakers, who made 13 of 22 field goals in the quarter.

Wrong number: Six, the number of combined points scored by Garnett and Hudson, the Timberwolves’ two leading scorers in the playoffs. Also, zero: playoff series wins for Minnesota.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 14. Timberwolves -- Szczerbiak 7.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal and Horry 4. Timberwolves -- Gill 3.