Monday, May 06, 2002
Lakers 86, Spurs 80
By JOHN NADEL
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES — Both sides agreed it was a missed opportunity for San Antonio.
That could be perilous for the Spurs considering how the Los Angeles Lakers respond in the playoffs.
The two-time defending champions survived 39 percent shooting and injuries to their two superstars Sunday, beating the Spurs 86-80 to open their Western Conference semifinal.
“It was a perfect opportunity for them to get a game from us today,” said Lakers guard Derek Fisher, who shot 2-of-13 but scored five of his eight points in the final four minutes.
“I think we did (miss a chance),” San Antonio's Malik Rose said. “They're not going to shoot that bad Tuesday night.”
That's when Game 2 will be played before the best-of-seven series moves to San Antonio.
The Spurs shot even worse than the Lakers did, making 32 percent from the floor.
“We're still pretty confident,” said Tim Duncan, who had 26 points, 21 rebounds and four blocks but missed his first 10 shots en route to a 9-of-30 effort. “Our game plan was there, but it's just about putting some balls in the hole. We do that, it's a whole different ball game.”
The Lakers won for the 20th time in their last 21 playoff games and extended their winning streak at Staples Center to 18 games.
In other second-round series openers Sunday, New Jersey topped Charlotte 99-96 and Detroit beat Boston 96-84. Dallas plays at Sacramento on Monday night, trying even the series at 1-1.
Playing without the ailing David Robinson, the Spurs are trying to avenge the sweep inflicted by the Lakers in the conference finals last spring.
Shaquille O'Neal had to leave the game for nearly 10 minutes because of his second injury of the game. He had 13 of his 23 points, four of his 17 rebounds and two of his four blocks after returning with 10:50 left.
First came a mishap at home, when he cut himself above his left wrist and needed four stitches.
“I fell on some glass playing with the kids,” he said.
Then O'Neal sliced his right index finger early in the third quarter. That meant three more stitches.
“I blocked a shot and hit it on the rim or I hit it on the backboard,” he said.
The Lakers got another scare when Kobe Bryant bruised his right knee in a collision with San Antonio's Bruce Bowen. Bryant went to the locker room for treatment just when O'Neal returned.
“As I tried to walk it off, the knee just kept on swelling,” Bryant said. “So I had to go back into the training room, put some ice on it to see if we could get the swelling down and to also see if I could bend it.
“You've got to play through injuries. If you can walk, you should be out there.”
Bryant returned with 4:36 left, as O'Neal made two free throws to snap a 71-71 tie and put the Lakers ahead for good.
A jumper by Rose with 1:13 remaining cut the Lakers' lead to 79-78, but a dunk by O'Neal with 1:03 left and a jumper by Bryant with 24.6 seconds to go sealed the victory.
At that stage, during a San Antonio timeout, the capacity crowd of 18,997 at Staples Center chanted, “Three-peat.”
“We tag-teamed it for a little bit and were able to survive until (O'Neal and Bryant) both got out there, and we were able to carry this game home,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.
Bryant finished with 20 points and Samaki Walker, a former Spur, had 12 points and nine rebounds.
Robinson has a nerve problem in his lower back from a herniated disc that affects his right leg. It's unknown when or if he will return. He played only seven minutes in the first round against Seattle.
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Lakers 86, Spurs 80
