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GAME 4 REPORT

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Times Staff Writer

FIRST QUARTER: SAN ANTONIO 24 LAKERS 19

Highlight reel: With the Lakers’ shooting touch missing, Shaquille O’Neal had to crash the offensive boards to get things going. After a Robert Horry miss, O’Neal seemed to play volleyball by him- self, getting three offensive rebounds over Tim Duncan and Malik Rose before throwing down a dunk.

Not in the box score: How Laker assistant Jim Cleamons, filling in for Coach Phil Jackson, sat on the bench like “The Thinker,” chin resting on his hand, while the Lakers struggled to find their game.

Winning number: 57.8, the field-goal percentage of the Spurs, who made 11 of 19 shots in the quarter, including five of six from Duncan.

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Wrong number: Zero, points scored in the quarter by Laker players not named Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O’Neal. Devean George, Robert Horry, Derek Fisher and Brian Shaw combined to miss six shots.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 12, O’Neal 7; Spurs -- Duncan 11.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 9; Spurs -- Kevin Willis, Tony Parker, Stephen Jackson and Duncan, 4.

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SECOND QUARTER: SAN ANTONIO 46 LAKERS 39

Highlight reel: The Spurs took command early in the quarter with defense, and Manu Ginobili made a play that summed up the effort. Ginobili exposed Laker rookie Jannero Pargo’s poor ball-handling with a steal from behind, then added to the insult with a three-pointer from the left corner.

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Not in the box score: The sad expression on the face of Bryant while he sat on the Laker bench after picking up his third foul, two of which were offensive. Bryant looked as if he were watching a boring movie in a first-period history class in high school. Still, the Lakers, who had trailed by 16 points earlier in the quarter, would rally within seven by halftime.

Winning numbers: Seven and six, the points and rebounds for the Spurs’ Jackson, who provided a boost with his perimeter shooting and rebounding.

Wrong number: Three, fouls called on three Spurs (Duncan, David Robinson and Willis) and two Lakers (Bryant and Horry).

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Leading scorers: Lakers -- O’Neal and Fisher 6; Spurs -- Jackson 7, Duncan 6.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 3; Spurs -- Jackson 6.

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THIRD QUARTER: SAN ANTONIO 67 LAKERS 71

Highlight reel: After a quiet first half, George helped spark the crowd by teaming with Bryant for a great hustle play. After a steal by Fisher, George dove to the court to pick up a loose ball, then passed to a streaking Bryant, who finished the play with a two-handed dunk with 2:32 left in the quarter.

Not in the box score: Laker fans cheered for nearly five minutes after Brian Shaw banked in a 33-foot three-point basket to beat the buzzer. The ovation capped a crucial run by the Lakers, who outscored the Spurs, 16-3, to close the quarter.

Winning number: 15, points scored in the quarter by Lakers not named Bryant or O’Neal. George and Fisher each had six points and Shaw scored three.

Wrong number: Zero, points scored by the Spurs’ Bruce Bowen and Robinson in the quar- ter. They took one shot between them, a 15-footer by Robinson 27 seconds into the quarter.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 12; Spurs -- Duncan and Parker, 7.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal and Bryant, 3; Spurs -- Duncan and Jackson, 2.

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FOURTH QUARTER: SAN ANTONIO 95 LAKERS 99

Highlight reel: With the Lakers ahead by three points and the game on the line, Bryant came through with the defensive play of the day. He used his speed to run in front of Parker’s inbounds pass intended for Ginobili and intercepted the ball to end the Spurs’ comeback hopes and help the Lakers even the series at 2-2.

Not in the box score: The angry reaction by the Spurs’ Robinson after he picked up his sixth foul on a delayed call while defending O’Neal. With the song “Hit the Road Jack” igniting the crowd, all Robinson could do was walk to the bench.

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Winning number: 17, free throws made by O’Neal in 23 attempts, to go along with his 17 rebounds.

Wrong number: Zero, points in the game by Robinson, who again was a no-show with only one field-goal attempt in 14 minutes. He also fouled out.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- O’Neal 11, Bryant 9; Spurs -- Duncan 12.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 2; Spurs -- Duncan 5.

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