GAME REPORT

First Quarter

Lakers: 24

San Antonio: 17

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Highlight Reel: San Antonio’s David Robinson blocked Shaquille O’Neal’s first dunk attempt but the Laker center responded moments later with a power slam and a smile as he ran down the court.

It’s Not in the Box Score: Nearly every Alamodome seat was filled at least 20 minutes before tip-off and the fans gave the Spurs a three-minute standing ovation leading to the introduction of the starting lineups.

Winning Number: Six. Assists by the Lakers with the most impressive coming on an alley-oop pass from Derek Fisher to Kobe Bryant, who finished with a one-hand layup.

Wrong Number: Six. Turnovers committed by the Spurs, who had trouble making entry passes inside against Laker forwards Horace Grant and Rick Fox.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Bryant 12, O’Neal 6. Spurs: Tim Duncan 9, Robinson 6.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal 4, Grant 3. Spurs: Duncan and Robinson 3 each.

Second Quarter

Lakers: 51

Sacramento: 42

Highlight Reel: Bryant displayed his jumping ability when he drove the left side of the lane and hung in the air before making a difficult bank shot over the Spurs’ Danny Ferry.

It’s Not in the Box Score: How San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich and Laker Coach Phil Jackson did their best to sway the officials’ opinion in their favor.

Winning Number: 50. Field goal percentage of the Spurs, whose shooting kept them within striking distance of the Lakers at halftime.

Wrong Number: 16. The Spurs hurt themselves by giving up too many points in the lane.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 11, Bryant and Fox 5 each. Spurs: Robinson 6, Antonio Daniels, Malik Rose and Avery Johnson 4 each.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Fisher 3, O’Neal, Robert Horry and Brian Shaw 2 each. Spurs: Robinson 3, Ferry and Duncan 2 each.

Third Quarter

Lakers: 80

Sacramento: 66

Highlight Reel: Bryant was at his slashing best when he drove the lane and slammed a two-handed dunk in the faces of Duncan and Robinson.

It’s Not in the Box Score: O’Neal may have entered the game as most-hated Laker, but Bryant quickly assumed the role as he made one difficult shot after another.

Winning Number: 15. Points scored by Bryant, who made six of nine shots despite San Antonio’s best efforts to stop him, switching defenders from Daniels to Sean Elliott.

Wrong Number: 10. Free throws attempted by the Spurs over the first three quarters compared to the Lakers’ 15.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Bryant 15, O’Neal 7. Spurs: Daniels 10, Duncan 6.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Horry 4, O’Neal and Fisher 3 each. Spurs: Robinson 5, Duncan 4.

Fourth Quarter

Lakers: 104

Sacramento: 90

Highlight Reel: Bryant continued his spectacular play when he grabbed a rebound of his missed shot and dunked before a San Antonio defender could react. Moments later, Bryant blocked a layup attempt by Johnson.

It’s Not in the Box Score: After refusing to double-team Duncan for much of three quarters, the Lakers sent a second defender at him each time he touched the ball for much of the fourth.

Winning Numbers: Seven, five and three. Combined points, rebounds and assists the Lakers got off the bench from veterans Horry and Shaw.

Wrong Number: Zero. When the Spurs needed their veterans to spark a rally, Terry Porter, Ferry, Johnson and Robinson did not score.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Bryant 13, Horry 5. Spurs: Duncan 11, Daniels 6.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Bryant 6, Shaw 3. Spurs: Duncan 5.