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Game 3 Report

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

FIRST QUARTER

LAKERS 29 SAN ANTONIO 17

Highlight reel: Shaquille O’Neal pulled off his own version of going coast to coast and nearly brought down the Staples Center ceiling. After rebounding a Tim Duncan miss, O’Neal dribbled from one end of the court to the other while outrunning the Spurs’ Bruce Bowen and Malik Rose before throwing down an electrifying right-hand dunk.

Not in the box score: The explosion heard in the arena when the Lakers’ starting lineup was announced and Devean George, who was expected to miss the game because of an ankle injury, was called first. The crowd noise got even louder after George made two consecutive shots to open the game.

Winning number: 9, points scored by George on four-for-five shooting from the field, including one three-point basket.

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Wrong number: 3, combined points scored by the Spurs’ Bruce Bowen, Tony Parker, Stephen Jackson and Manu Ginobili, on one-for-six shooting.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- George 9, Kobe Bryant 7; Spurs -- Tim Duncan 8.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 5; Spurs -- Duncan 4.

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SECOND QUARTER

LAKERS 50 SAN ANTONIO 36

Highlight reel: Although he didn’t make a standout play in the quarter, reserve forward Mark Madsen showed why he has become a cult hero among Laker fans with a series of hustle plays. Madsen grabbed two offensive rebounds on one possession, blocked out Duncan for two defensive boards and stole the ball from Rose.

Not in the box score: You can’t handle the truth. While wearing his trademark black sunglasses, Laker fan and legendary actor Jack Nicholson gave official Mark Wunderlich a piece of his mind and almost got ejected from the game for complaining about fouls called on O’Neal.

Winning number: 11, free throws made by the Lakers in 16 attempts, to compensate for their 26.7% shooting from the field.

Wrong number: 5, turnovers committed by the Spurs, who had two assists and six baskets in the quarter.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 9; Spurs -- Stephen Jackson 6.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- Robert Horry and Madsen 4; Spurs -- Jackson 5.

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THIRD QUARTER

LAKERS 81 SAN ANTONIO 67

Highlight reel: Even Coach Phil Jackson had to smile when O’Neal pulled off a play that would have made Hall of Famer Wes Unseld proud. After grabbing a defensive rebound, O’Neal spun and threw an outlet pass the length of the court to Bryant, who finished the play with a vicious dunk.

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Not in the box score: The Lakers went through a stretch of nearly four minutes during which they made one silly mistake after another in committing six turnovers to spark a San Antonio mini-rally. Bryant and Horry each turned the ball over twice, and O’Neal and Derek Fisher turned the ball over once each.

Winning number: 58.8% shooting by the Lakers, who made 10 of 17 field-goal attempts with Horry and Fisher combining to make three of three.

Wrong number: Zero, points for the Spurs’ Bowen, who ripped the Lakers in Game 2 with seven three-point baskets.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 9, O’Neal 8; Spurs -- Duncan 15.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 4; Spurs -- Rose 3.

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FOURTH QUARTER

LAKERS 110 SAN ANTONIO 95

Highlight reel: What a difference a change in scenery can make. The Lakers executed the type of play that had been missing in the first two games at San Antonio when Madsen leaped to grab an entry pass and in one motion, completed a perfect no-look bounce pass to a slashing Bryant, who finished with a stylistic dunk.

Not in the box score: After Stephen Jackson was called for a technical foul for disputing a call, the dismal expression on the faces of the Spur players sitting on the bench said it all. With the Lakers comfortably ahead 35 seconds into the quarter, David Robinson and Co. looked is if they couldn’t wait for the game to end.

Winning number: 40, the total number of free throws attempted by the Lakers, who made 33, including 17 by Bryant.

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Wrong number: 36, total rebounds by the Spurs, 10 fewer than the Lakers.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 14; Spurs -- Kevin Willis 8, Speedy Claxton 7.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 6; Spurs -- Willis 4.

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