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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Despite the happy ending, Kobe Bryant
might have had more fun at the movies.
|  | | Shaquille O'Neal only had three blocked shots -- this one on Jason Caffey -- to go along with his 49 points. |
A day after catching the film "Romeo Must Die" while sitting
out a one-game suspension, Bryant was held to 16 points as the Los
Angeles Lakers struggled to a 111-104 win Wednesday night over the
woeful Golden State Warriors.
Shaquille O'Neal scored 49 points as the Lakers won their 11th
straight game and clinched homecourt advantage throughout the
playoffs. Los Angeles has won 30 of its last 31 games.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson said O'Neal became the overwhelming
focus of the Los Angeles offense by default.
"Kobe couldn't shoot and couldn't get anyone else going for us
out there," Jackson said. "They tried everything against (O'Neal)
and he found a way to get to the basket."
Devean George hit all four of his 3-point attempts and scored 14
points for the Lakers. The rookie had hit just 10 3-pointers all
season before Wednesday night.
"Now that we have the playoffs wrapped up for home court, I
think we're going to rest some more people and that gives me a
chance to play a little more," George said.
Bryant, suspended for fighting New York's Chris Childs on
Sunday, went 5-for-14 from the field and was held six points below
his average. The Lakers trailed for most of the game, regaining the
lead only in the final second of the third period.
Donyell Marshall had 32 points and 18 rebounds for the Warriors,
who lost their season-high eighth straight home game.
"I think we're a team that shows how good we are, and then we
show how bad we can be," Marshall said. "We've got to go out
there and put that effort in with other opponents. We're in the
NBA. We're got to play good every night."
Golden State has lost 10 straight overall, and 18 of 19. This is
the second time the Warriors have had a 10-game losing streak this
season -- they lost 12 straight in December and January.
After trailing 51-47 at halftime, the Lakers pulled ahead 77-75
entering the fourth quarter as O'Neal scored 18 points while going
5-for-5 from the field in the third period. Bryant hit a 3-pointer
with one-tenth of a second left in the third to give Los Angeles
its first lead since the opening quarter.
Brian Shaw and George hit consecutive 3-pointers to open the
fourth period and give the Lakers an 83-75 lead,and two straight
baskets by O'Neal made it 87-77. Another 3-pointer by George made
it 95-81 with 6:21 remaining.
Marshall hit a 3-pointer with 2:50 left to cap a 15-7 run that
pulled the Warriors within six points, and Sam Jacobson's follow
shot with 2:13 left pulled Golden State to 102-98. But O'Neal added
two more baskets and Bryant hit five foul shots as the Lakers held
on for the win.
The Warriors used a 15-2 run bridging the first and second
periods to take a 30-21 lead, and held a four-point halftime lead.
Marshall had 15 points in the first half, while O'Neal had 18
points and nine rebounds.
Game notes
Ron Harper missed the game for the Lakers with a sore left
knee, taking a rest after playing 39 minutes Tuesday night at
Phoenix because of Bryant's suspension. ... Robert Horry was
limited to 10 minutes for the Lakers because of tendinitis in both
knees. ... The Lakers swept the four-game season series against
Golden State, winning the games by an average margin of 16 points. ... The Lakers lead the NBA with a 31-8 road record. ... Jason
Caffey had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Warriors. Mookie
Blaylock added 18 points and Larry Hughes had 15 before fouling out in the closing minute.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
LA Lakers Clubhouse
Golden State Clubhouse
Bryant back in lineup, says he won't appeal suspension
RECAPS
Philadelphia 107
Atlanta 86
Detroit 111
Boston 106
Indiana 105
New Jersey 101
Sacramento 108
San Antonio 98
Houston 118
Portland 105
LA Lakers 111
Golden State 104
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Kobe feeds a wide-open Shaq for the dunk.
avi: 860 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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