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NBA SCOREBOARD: Preview

Recap | Box Score | Today's Scoreboard

Los Angeles at San Antonio

Posted: Monday May 21, 2001 06:43 AM

Los Angeles Lakers Related Info: Team Page City Page: • Los Angeles Message Boards: • Lakers • NBA

San Antonio Spurs Related Info: Team Page City Page: • San Antonio Message Boards: • Spurs • NBA

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Lakers look to remain undefeated in the playoffs and take a 2-0 lead home on Monday night when they play the San Antonio Spurs in Game Two of the Western Conference finals.

The Lakers took the opener of their best-of-seven series Saturday, 104-90, for their 16th consecutive win. They have not lost since suffering a 79-78 setback to the New York Knicks on April 1 during the regular season.

Los Angeles is on its best postseason-winning streak since recording 11 straight victories during the 1989 playoffs.

When combining winning streaks from the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs, the Lakers' current run is tied for second in NBA history with its own run in 1988-89. With a win Monday, they can match the 1998-99 Spurs for the best combined run of 17 games.

On Saturday, Los Angeles' 1-2 punch of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal proved better than San Antonio's tandem of Tim Duncan and David Robinson.

Bryant poured in 45 points and O'Neal added 28 and 11 rebounds. The game belonged to Bryant, who scored 15 points in the third quarter and made 19-of-35 shots, shredding the defensive efforts of Antonio Daniels.

Double-teamed repeatedly, Duncan collected 28 points and 14 boards while committing an uncharacteristic seven turnovers. Robinson was limited to 14 points and 11 rebounds in 30 minutes.

Although Bryant was criticized earlier this season by O'Neal and others for taking too many shots, his trigger finger could not be questioned Saturday. He made 5-of-11 shots in the final quarter as he recorded the highest point total by a Spurs' playoff opponent.

Bryant is averaging 43.0 points over his last three games and 32.5 during the playoffs. O'Neal is scoring 32.5 points and grabbing a league-leading 15.9 rebounds in the postseason.

Los Angeles held a 49-40 rebounding edge, including 10 by Bryant. The Lakers handed out 24 assists, compared to 17 for San Antonio.

The Spurs misfired on 10-of-15 3-pointers. Daniels netted 20 points but could not prevent San Antonio from suffering its first home loss since April 12. Saturday's defeat was the first time in six games the Spurs had failed to score in triple figures.

Game Three will be held at Los Angeles on Friday.