Game 5 Report

FIRST QUARTER

HOUSTON 27 LAKERS 24

Highlight reel: Houston guard Cuttino Mobley was all business to start the game, and he went to work against the Lakers’ slow-reacting defense to score 14 points on five-for-five shooting. Mobley finished his strong quarter by making an uncontested three-point shot from the right corner.

Not in the box score: How the crowd noise suddenly turned to a collective gasp when Laker Coach Phil Jackson removed Kobe Bryant from the game with 6:47 remaining in the quarter even though he was not in foul trouble. Bryant, however, did not stay on the bench long, because he returned to the lineup 51 seconds later.

Winning number: 55.6, the shooting percentage for the Rockets, who made 10 of 18 field goals, including three of five from behind the three-point arc.

Wrong numbers: 5 and 8, the amount of turnovers committed by the Rockets and points scored by the Lakers from them.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Karl Malone 10, Bryant 6; Rockets -- Mobley 14, Kelvin Cato 5.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- Malone 3, Gary Payton and Bryant 2; Rockets -- Cato 4, Jim Jackson 3.

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SECOND QUARTER

HOUSTON 48 LAKERS 47

Highlight reel: Yao Ming was posterized by Shaquille O’Neal on a play that made even Phil Jackson smile. Bryant set up the play with a hard drive to the basket, but instead of launching another shot, he lobbed the ball to O’Neal, who threw down a power right-hand dunk over Yao to ignite the sellout Staples Center crowd.

Not in the box score: A Laker fan sitting courtside -- wearing a No. 8 Bryant jersey -- received prime-time exposure during a television timeout when he danced with the Laker Girls and was shown on the video scoreboard in slow-motion.

Winning numbers: 15 and 19, total number of assists and baskets made in the first half by the Lakers, who distributed the ball like a team that plays together.

Wrong number: 2, the total amount of points and shots attempted in the quarter by O’Neal, who had only four points at the half.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 14, Malone 3; Rockets -- Steve Francis 8, Maurice Taylor 6.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- Malone and Bryant 3; Rockets -- Yao 3.

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THIRD QUARTER

HOUSTON 57 LAKERS 72

Highlight reel: The Lakers’ Devean George might not always play with much fire, but he lighted up the rim with an athletic two-hand power dunk and then stepped up with a couple of aggressive defensive plays, including two steals against the Rockets’ Jim Jackson.

Not in the box score: The anguish on Yao’s face when he fell to the court after his shot was swatted by O’Neal. Yao was defended by Malone underneath the basket, and O’Neal arrived late to make sure the Rocket center did not score.

Winning number: 25, the amount of points scored by the Lakers on eight-for-17 shooting and seven assists. The Lakers broke open a tight game with an efficient offense that featured Bryant and George and some of their best defense in recent memory.

Wrong number: 9, the amount of points scored by the Rockets in the quarter on two-of-16 shooting, which included four turnovers that led to seven Laker points.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 9, George 7; Rockets -- Jim Jackson 3.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal and George 4; Rockets -- Francis 4.

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FOURTH QUARTER

HOUSTON 78 LAKERS 97

Highlight reel: O’Neal had a somewhat quiet game, but he woke up the crowd with a two-hand dunk off a forceful move from the baseline. With Yao on the bench, O’Neal pumped-faked his way past two Houston defenders and finished in style.

Not in the box score: The effort Slava Medvedenko gave in the quarter with a series of defensive plays and timely baskets. Although he was called for a foul on the play, Medvedenko’s best moment came when he blocked a one-hand dunk attempt by Taylor. His Achilles’ tendon appears to be ready for the next round.

Winning number: 31, the total amount of points scored by Bryant, who, despite his off-the-court problems, still knows how to take over when the Lakers need points.

Wrong number: 2, the total amount of points scored by Mobley over the final three quarters after he scored 14 in the first.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Medvedenko 9; Rockets -- Jim Jackson 7, Francis 6.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal, Medvedenko 2; Rockets -- Cato 4.