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INSIDE THE NBA

Line of the Week
& On Tap

by Jackie MacMullan

Posted: Wed March 25, 1998

Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, March 20 vs. Seattle

Min	FG	FT	Pts	Reb	Blk
42	10-14	4-15	24	16	2

Vintage Shaq: He dominated the middle but missed 11 free throws—his teammates went 18 for 18—in L.A.'s 93-90 victory over its chief Western Conference rival.

On Tap

Utah at Seattle, Tuesday, March 31

The illustrious Jazz combo of John Stockton and Karl Malone clashes with the Sonics duet of Gary Payton and Vin Baker in a huge Western Conference matchup. Utah has won two of three from Seattle this season, including a 111-91 rout at Key Arena in the teams' last meeting, on Feb. 14. At week's end, however, Seattle was tied with Utah, one half game behind Chicago, in the race for the NBA's best record—and home court advantage throughout the playoffs. If they lose again to the Jazz, the Sonics will be singing the blues.

Issue date: March 30, 1998