FIRST QUARTER

By LONNIE WHITE

May 31, 2000 12 AM PT

Portland: 26

Lakers: 24

Highlight Reel: You don’t see this often, but then again, Glen Rice is not known for his passing. Rice scored an unusual basket when he attempted an alley-oop pass to Shaquille O’Neal and the ball went straight into the hoop. O’Neal could have been called for offensive interference.

It’s Not in the Box Score: How the spring in Ron Harper’s legs make him appear to be a much younger player than he truly is as he weaved his way to the basket and finished with two creative layups.

Winning Numbers: Eight and Four. The total points scored and rebounds grabbed in the quarter by Shaquille O’Neal, who was held without a point and rebound over the first 12 minutes of Game 3.

Wrong Number: 5:30. The amount of time left in the quarter when Kobe Bryant was forced to the bench with two fouls.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 8. Trail Blazers: Scottie Pippen 12.

Leading Rebounders:Lakers: O’Neal 5. Trail Blazers: Rasheed Wallace 3.

Lakers did not lead

Portland’s: biggest lead was 7

Second Quarter

Portland: 53

Lakers: 45

Highlight Reel: After a strong first quarter, Pippen suffered dislocated fingers and did not attempt a shot until the final second of the quarter, but he made it count with a three-point basket from the right corner on an assist from Detlef Schrempf.

It’s Not in the Box Score: How Schrempf went from not playing no minutes in Game 4--and not complaining--to being a major contributor in the Trail Blazers’ strong second quarter.

Winning Number: Seven. The total assists handed out by Portland in the quarter, with Schrempf leading the way with three.

Wrong Number: Zero. The total amount of minutes played in the quarter by Laker starters A.C. Green and Ron Harper, two veterans who have played key roles in the series.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 7. Trail Blazers: Wallace 7.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal 4. Trail Blazers: Wallace and Arvydas Sabonis each with 4.

Lakers did not lead

Portland’s: biggest lead was 10

Third Quarter

Portland: 80

Lakers: 67

Highlight Reel: O’Neal can do a lot of things and he showed off his long-distance passing skills when he grabbed a defensive rebound and then found Robert Horry alone at the other end of the court for an easy layup.

It’s Not in the Box Score: How the Trail Blazers began the second half still playing with confidence and had even more success with their trapping defense.

Winning Number: 10. The total points scored in the quarter by O’Neal, who was so dominant inside that he forced Sabonis to the bench with foul trouble and also drew a couple of fouls on overmatched Brian Grant.

Wrong Number: Five. The total number of turnovers committed by the Lakers in the quarter as they struggled to take care of the ball against an aggressive Portland defense.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 10. Trail Blazers: Sabonis 6.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal and Harper each with 2. Trail Blazers: Wallace 3.

Lakers did not lead

Portland’s: biggest lead was 13

Fourth Quarter

Portland: 96

Lakers: 88

Highlight Reel: Bryant received the benefit of some home officiating with a delayed call when he fought through a tackle foul by Bonzi Wells to score a running bank shot from the lane, but he missed the free throw that would have made it a three-point play.

It’s Not in the Box Score: How well the Trail Blazers defended Bryant by not giving too much ground on his penetration moves to the basket. Except for a couple of questionable calls, Bryant was shut down.

Winning Number: 11. The total defensive rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who maintained their lead by blocking out whenever a Laker shot was attempted.

Wrong Number: Two. The total rebounds grabbed in the quarter by any Laker not not named O’Neal.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 6. Trail Blazers: Wallace 6.

Leading Rebounders:Lakers: O’Neal 10. Trail Blazers: Schrempf 4.

Lakers did not lead

Portland’s: biggest lead was 13

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

LAKERS’ BIG 3

O’NEAL

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Tue. Series 31 Points 29.2 21 Rebounds 13.4 3 Assists 4.0

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BRYANT