Game 4 Report

FIRST QUARTER

MINNESOTA 24 LAKERS 23

Highlight reel: The Timberwolves took an early lead behind the energetic play of Latrell Sprewell, who attacked the Lakers’ defense nearly every time he touched the ball. Sprewell’s most impressive basket came when he hustled to rebound his own missed shot and followed with a runner from the key.

Not in the box score: How fans inside Staples Center cheered when Kobe Bryant was shown on the video scoreboard arriving at the arena after spending the day in Colorado tending to his legal matters.

Winning number: 37, the amount of seconds into the game before the Timberwolves attempted their first free throw. After going to the line only 14 times in Game 3, this was a good sign for Minnesota.

Wrong number: Zero, the amount of points scored by Minnesota point guard Darrick Martin, who started in place of gimpy Sam Cassell. Martin, who played well in Game 2, took two shots in the quarter and had one assist.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Shaquille O’Neal 6, Karl Malone, Derek Fisher and Bryant 4; Timberwolves -- Sprewell 8, Trenton Hassell 6, Kevin Garnett 4.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 7, Malone and Bryant 2; Timberwolves -- Fred Hoiberg 3, Ervin Johnson, Michael Olowokandi , Sprewell and Garnett 2.

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SECOND QUARTER

MINNESOTA 40 LAKERS 45

Highlight reel: Garnett put together a pair of baskets that not too many players could have made. On the first score, Garnett pumped his way into the lane and then double-clutched a soft bank shot. Moments later, he powered along the baseline and threw down a two-handed monster dunk over Karl Malone.

Not in the box score: How the Lakers were desperately looking for offense early in the quarter and Bryant and Rick Fox took matters into their own hands with consecutive drives to the basket. Bryant drove to his left into the lane and finished with a crafty right-handed layup, and then Fox followed with a nifty left-handed lay-in.

Winning number: 16, the amount of assists by the Lakers in the first half on 19 field goals. By sharing the ball, the Lakers took the lead with Malone leading the way with five assists.

Wrong number: 16, the amount of rebounds in the first half by the Timberwolves, who were dominated on the boards by the Lakers, who had 30. O’Neal had 12 rebounds himself.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Derek Fisher 6, Malone and Bryant 5, Devean George, O’Neal and Fox 2; Timberwolves -- Wally Szczerbiak and Garnett 6, Sprewell and Hassell 2.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 5, Slava Medvedenko and Malone 3, Bryant and Fisher 2; Timberwolves -- Garnett 3, two players with one.

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THIRD QUARTER

MINNESOTA 60 LAKERS 75

Highlight reel: Bryant made another of his mesmerizing moves that almost brought the house down. After beating Szczerbiak off the dribble from the right wing, Bryant drove baseline and started a layup from the right side of the key. Then he floated under the rim and bumped into Olowokandi, who fouled Bryant before he swooped in a layup with his right hand.

Not in the box score: After a missed three-point attempt by Martin, O’Neal grabbed the rebound and launched a length-of-the-court pass to Gary Payton, who scored easily on a layup.

Winning number: 18, the points scored in the quarter by Bryant, who picked up his game after a sluggish first half. Bryant’s best play may have been a fastbreak assist to Malone for a dunk.

Wrong number: Two, the technical fouls called on the Lakers in the quarter. After Bryant picked one up late in the first half, Coach Phil Jackson was called for one midway into the third, and Payton added another 30 seconds later, giving the Lakers three in less than three quarters.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 18, O’Neal 5, Malone 3, Payton and George 2; Timberwolves -- Garnett 8, Szczerbiak 4, Martin and Cassell 3, Sprewell 2.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 7, Malone 5, Bryant 3; Timberwolves -- Garnett 4, four players with 1.

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FOURTH QUARTER

MINNESOTA 85 LAKERS 92

Highlight reel: O’Neal normally finishes his alley-oop dunks with passes from Bryant, Payton or Fisher. But that was not the case early in the quarter when he and Medvedenko hooked up for a spectacular play. Moments later, O’Neal didn’t need any help when he shook off two defenders before he slammed home a “Don’t mess with me” dunk in front of Garnett.

Not in the box score: How Cassell, who played in the third quarter after sitting out the first half, limped into the Timberwolves’ locker room at the start of the fourth. Cassell, who has been slowed because of hip and back injuries, was not a factor in Game 4.

Winning number: 52, rebounds in the game by the Lakers, who won the battle of the boards again over the Timberwolves, who finished with 41. O’Neal led the way with 19, and Malone had 11.

Wrong number: Five, turnovers committed in the quarter by the Timberwolves, who failed to take care of the basketball when they were trying to get back into the game. Minnesota had only six turnovers after three quarters.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- O’Neal 6, Fisher 5, Bryant 4, Payton 2; Timberwolves -- Garnett 10, Szczerbiak 7, Hoiberg 5, Mark Madsen 3.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- Fisher 2, five with 1; Timberwolves -- Madsen 6, Garnett 4, Szczerbiak 3, Hoiberg and Sprewell 2.