Game 1 Report

Charting the lead

A look at the Lakers’ lead or deficit by the minute.

First Quarter

Lakers 23

Minnesota 24

Highlight reel: Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett gave Karl Malone some of his own medicine early in the quarter. After taking in a length-of-the-court pass from Kobe Bryant, Malone had a wide-open layup swatted away by Garnett, who gave Malone a smack on the head for good measure without a foul being called.

Not in the box score: How far Bryant traveled across the court to double-team Garnett when he had the ball in the Timberwolves’ half-court offense. Bryant did not try to hide the Lakers’ game plan because he often was more than 15 feet away from his defensive assignment, Trent Hassell.

Winning numbers: Eight and three, the total points and rebounds in the quarter registered by Minnesota backup center Michael Olowokandi.

Wrong number: Zero, the total points, rebounds and assists in the quarter from the Lakers’ Devean George.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- O’Neal 8, Gary Payton 7, Malone and Bryant 4; Timberwolves -- Olowokandi 8, Sam Cassell and Garnett 6, Hassell 4.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 4, Malone 3, Bryant 2; Timberwolves -- Garnett and Olowokandi 3.

*

Second Quarter

Lakers 46

Minnesota 44

Highlight reel: If it’s the playoffs, Bryant must be doing something spectacular around the basket. This time, he gave Minnesota’s Fred Hoiberg, Wally Szczerbiak and Mark Madsen an up-close-and-personal look at a double-pump, half-spin, back-to-the-rim layup.

Not in the box score: The rugged, “I haven’t shaved or bathed in weeks” look sported by Olowokandi. After barely playing in the Timberwolves’ second-round series against Sacramento, Olowokandi had plenty of pep in his step and gave his team a lift in the first half.

Winning number: 51.4, the shooting percentage in the half by the Timberwolves, who made 19 of 37 shots. Hassell made three of three and Olowokandi made four of six.

Wrong number: Eight, turnovers committed in the quarter by the Timberwolves, who struggled against the Lakers’ trapping defense. Minnesota had 10 turnovers in the first half with Szczerbiak committing a team-high four.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- O’Neal 7, Bryant 5, Malone 4, Derek Fisher 3; Timberwolves -- Sam Cassell 6, Sprewell 5, Hoiberg 3.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 4, Malone 2; Timberwolves -- Olowokandi 4, Sprewell 2.

*

Third Quarter

Lakers 78

Minnesota 67

Highlight reel: Sprewell carried the Timberwolves in the quarter and the Lakers did not have an answer for him. Starting with a one-on-three fastbreak that he turned into a three-point play, Sprewell energized Minnesota’s attack, finishing with 11 points in the quarter on three-for-four shooting.

Not in the box score: The agitated expression on the face of Laker Coach Phil Jackson, followed by his sharp words aimed at George after Sprewell scored six consecutive points to start the second half.

Winning number: Five, rebounds in the quarter by O’Neal, who dominated the area around the basket. Every time a shot was missed, O’Neal seemed to be in position for the rebound as he helped the Lakers to a 10-7 edge on the boards.

Wrong number: Zero, points by the Timberwolves in the final 3:01 of the quarter, during which they were outscored, 11-0, by the Lakers.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 10, Fisher 8, O’Neal 6, Malone 5, Kareem Rush 3; Timberwolves -- Sprewell 11, Garnett 6, Cassell 4.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 5, Rick Fox and Malone 2; Timberwolves -- Garnett and Sprewell 3.

*

Fourth Quarter

Lakers 97

Minnesota 88

Highlight reel: After missing two close attempts near the basket, O’Neal made sure he did not miss the next time he got the ball in the post against Olowokandi. From the right side of the lane, he backed Olowokandi underneath the rim and then threw down a forceful right-handed dunk over his former Staples Center neighbor.

Not in the box score: The bounce pass delivered by Malone, who timed it perfectly to a cutting George in the Lakers’ half-court offense. With the Timberwolves trailing by two and pressing, Malone found George, who beat Szczerbiak to the ball and then finished with a one-handed dunk.

Winning number: Nine, free throws made in the game by O’Neal, who missed only two attempts. O’Neal finished with 27 points and 18 rebounds.

Wrong number: Zero, minutes played in the fourth quarter by Cassell, because of hip and back injuries. Cassell had 16 points and eight assists with only one turnover in the first three quarters but was in too much pain to play the final 12 minutes.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- O’Neal 6, Malone and Bryant 4, Fisher 3; Timberwolves -- Sprewell and Szczerbiak 7, Garnett 4, Hoiberg 3.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 5, Malone 4; Timberwolves -- Olowokandi 3, Garnett 2.