GAME 5 REPORT

LAKERS 33 SACRAMENTO 27

Highlight reel: Back inside the Little House on the Prairie, one wonders how great this state could be if the folks in the capital ran things with the same gusto they cheer their beloved Kings. Of course, working for the state might explain why the good people of this burg feel compelled to blow off so much steam--particularly when the vile, evil Lakers come to town. Has anyone looked into the notion that so much blind hatred isn’t good for a body? Or perhaps is it good for a person? Just asking.

Not in the box score: The hideously lopsided opening quarters that plagued the Lakers during Games 3 and 4 at Staples Center. They’re more than competitive, rather than trailing by 20 points as they did Sunday, they’re actually good to start Game 5. It’s a remarkable accomplishment, one they desperately needed to maintain their momentum from Game 4.

Winning numbers: The Lakers’ 15-for-23 shooting (65.2%).

Wrong numbers: The Kings have been outscored, 113-86, in the last four quarters including the final three Sunday.

Leading scorers: Lakers--Shaquille O’Neal 12, Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox and Derek Fisher 6; Kings--Chris Webber 10, Doug Christie 6.

Leading rebounders: Lakers--O’Neal 3; Kings--Webber and Vlade Divac 2.

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LAKERS 46 SACRAMENTO 51

Highlight reel: Any number of the awkward plays that led to fouls against the Lakers and free throws for the Kings highlighted this uneven quarter. The Lakers played into the Kings’ hands by sitting out on the perimeter instead of driving to the basket and, perhaps, drawing fouls against the Kings. Sacramento seemed to get the hang of this, pulling ahead of the Lakers by quarter’s end thanks, in large part, to an 18-6 advantage in free throws by halftime. The Kings also got a boost from Peja Stojakovic’s first appearance since spraining his right ankle May 9. He made two free throws.

Not in the box score: Enough minutes in this quarter from O’Neal, who moved purposefully during the game’s opening moments. He picked up his third foul, sticking out his foot to stop Christie’s drive, and played only three minutes in the quarter. He did not score and the Lakers lost a valuable option in their offense.

Winning numbers: The Kings won the rebounding battle in this quarter, 11-9.

Wrong number: The Lakers’ paltry 13 points, which took away some of that momentum.

Leading scorers: Lakers--Bryant 9, Fox 3; Kings--Webber 6, Divac and Mike Bibby 5.

Leading rebounders: Lakers--Robert Horry 3, Fisher 2; Kings--Webber 4.

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LAKERS 74 SACRAMENTO 73

Highlight reel: The route to the finals for the Lakers goes through O’Neal. And O’Neal’s route to the basket must result in a thunderous dunk. Nothing else will do, apparently. O’Neal had 28 points through three quarters, 18 coming on dunks. Perhaps that’s as it should be. O’Neal, the game’s strongest player, has been limited by all manner of nagging injuries. But in this quarter, he seemed to be as fit as he has been in the playoffs. Divac, Webber and Scot Pollard have no chance at containment when O’Neal plays in this manner. Things were going so well for the Lakers that Slava Medvedenko not only got in the game, his dunk gave the Lakers the lead.

Not in the box score: An answer for O’Neal in this game or this lifetime. He’s too big, too strong and his shots too varied for the Kings to handle. If he can avoid foul trouble in the final quarter, the Lakers will take Game 5 and have a chance to take the series Friday in Game 6 at Staples Center.

Winning number: The Lakers’ 11 free throws (making eight).

Wrong number: The Kings’ 0-for-5 shooting at the line.

Leading scorers: Lakers--O’Neal 16, Bryant 7; Kings--Bibby 8, Webber 6.

Leading rebounders: Lakers--Horry 4, Fox 3; Kings--Divac 3, Stojakovic and Webber 2.

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LAKERS 91 SACRAMENTO 92

Highlight reel: You would have to fight your way off the court in most pickup games if you called the foul that O’Neal drew for his sixth against a driving Bibby with 3:22 to play. Commissioner David Stern was in the house for this one too. It appeared to be a weak call, a potentially series-altering call, a call that should make the league consider a fourth and perhaps a fifth referee to overrule such officiating. Trouble here was that the referees anticipated contact that never happened and blew their whistles prematurely. Don’t e-mail the newspaper in protest. E-mail Stern. Joe Crawford, Jack Nies and Bill Spooner are his referees.

Not in the box score: Bibby’s poise late in the game. He accepted a return pass from Webber, who picked off Fisher, and swished his go-ahead jumper with 8.2 seconds to play. There was never a doubt in his mind, never a hesitation in his step or in his stroke. It was every bit as pure as Horry’s game-winner in Game 4.

Winning number: Bibby’s nine-for-17 shooting.

Wrong number: O’Neal’s sixth foul.

Leading scorers: Lakers--Bryant 8, Fox 7. Kings--Bibby and Webber 7.

Leading rebounders: Lakers--Horry and Walker 3. Kings--Webber 5, Bibby and Jackson 2.