GAME 5 REPORT

LAKERS 21 MINNESOTA 14

Highlight reel: The way both teams shot the ball, one would have thought two Eastern Conference teams were playing. The Lakers would have had a huge lead if not for two plays by Latrell Sprewell, who kept the Timberwolves close with an assist and left-handed layup over Shaquille O’Neal late in the quarter.

Not in the box score: How the Lakers were able to take the Timberwolves’ crowd out of the game early with consistent defense. Behind O’Neal’s intimidating presence inside, the Lakers suffocated Minnesota’s halfcourt offense.

Winning number: Five. Starters who scored at least one basket in the quarter for the Lakers, who did a good job of spreading their offense around.

Wrong number: 114. Seconds into the game before a timeout was called by Minnesota Coach Flip Saunders, who did not like how his team started in falling behind, 6-0.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Kobe Bryant 6, Shaquille O’Neal 5, Devean George and Gary Payton 4; Timberwolves -- Kevin Garnett and Sprewell 5, Darrick Martin and Mark Madsen 2.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- Karl Malone 6, O’Neal 3, Derek Fisher and Bryant 2; Timberwolves -- Garnett 5, Madsen 3, Michael Olowokandi 2.

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LAKERS 40 MINNESOTA 46

Highlight reel: After grabbing a pass from Sprewell under the basket, Garnett had his back to the rim, but that did not stop him from slamming down a no-look, one-handed jam with attitude over a defenseless George.

Not in the box score: How the Lakers lacked a killer instinct to end the series, and how Garnett and Sprewell put the Timberwolves on their backs and rallied them to a halftime lead after it appeared the Lakers would win going away.

Winning number: 13. Unanswered points scored by the Timberwolves over the final 4:26 of the quarter, with Garnett and Sprewell combining for 28 first-half points.

Wrong number: 18. Minutes O’Neal went without making a basket heading into halftime. After dominating the last two games, the Lakers failed to get the basketball enough to O’Neal and he failed to get into an offensive rhythm in the first half.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Derek Fisher 9, Bryant 8; Timberwolves -- Sprewell 10, Garnett 8, Fred Hoiberg 5, Madsen 4, Wally Szczerbiak 3.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- Bryant 3, four with one; Timberwolves -- Garnett 7, Madsen, Hoiberg and Olowokandi 2.

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LAKERS 63 MINNESOTA 73

Highlight reel: The Timberwolves’ steady shooting kept them in front after halftime and Szczerbiak ended the quarter on a positive note with a difficult running jump shot from inside the lane.

Not in the box score: How the Lakers played like a team in the middle of a long trip in the regular season, instead of a team one victory away from the NBA Finals. In contrast, the Timberwolves played with more passion, which helped them take a double-digit lead early in the quarter.

Winning number: 12. Points scored in the quarter by Garnett, who had his way against Malone in the post. With his perimeter game working, Garnett took over the Timberwolves’ offense.

Wrong number: Three. Points scored in the quarter by Bryant, who had trouble getting his shot against Trent Hassell and the Timberwolves’ double-teams. Bryant attempted only one shot and played the entire quarter.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Malone 9, O’Neal 7, Payton 4; Timberwolves -- Garnett 12, Hoiberg 7, Szczerbiak 4, Sprewell and Hassell 2.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 4, two with one; Timberwolves -- Garnett 3, Olowokandi 2.

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LAKERS 96 MINNESOTA 98

Highlight reel: The Lakers’ late rally, closing from 16 points to six with 3:20 left, might have produced a different ending if not for a key shot made by Hoiberg with 2:29 remaining. From the left wing, Hoiberg made a difficult double-pump basket while being fouled in the head by Bryant to help the Timberwolves hold on to their lead.

Not in the box score: How fatigued Garnett looked when he walked to the bench after Minnesota Coach Flip Saunders finally convinced his captain to take a breather after playing 40 hard minutes.

Winning number: 28. Points scored in the game by Sprewell, who made 11 of 21 shots. By attacking the rim and not settling for perimeter shots, Sprewell gave Garnett plenty of support.

Wrong number: Four. Turnovers committed in the game by Bryant, who got in trouble when he tried to force plays. The Timberwolves committed only five turnovers.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Fisher 8, Malone and Bryant 6, O’Neal 5, Luke Walton and Kareem Rush 3; Timberwolves -- Sprewell 11, Garnett 5, Szczerbiak 4, Hoiberg 3, Hassell 2.

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