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Wednesday, Jan. 12 8:00pm ET
Lakers win sweet 16th straight | |||||
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- As the Los Angeles Lakers streak toward history, they're trying to keep their focus on the court and off the record books. Shaquille O'Neal had 27 points and 10 rebounds as the Lakers extended their winning streak to 16 games, tying the second-longest streak in team history, by defeating Milwaukee 103-94 Wednesday night.
"As far as 33 in a row, we'll worry about it at the end," Bryant said. "People are talking about it every day, but we're not." In January 1972, the Lakers' 33-game streak was derailed by the Bucks in Milwaukee. This time, the Bucks fell behind early and were knocked out during a 21-6 Lakers run spanning the third and fourth quarters. "There was a stretch in the third quarter where I thought we lost our rhythm and confidence," Milwaukee coach George Karl said. The Bucks' Big Three -- Glenn Robinson, Ray Allen and Sam Cassell -- combined for 71 points, but all three shot below 50 percent and their teammates could manage just 23 points among them. Cassell had 24 points and 13 assists, while Allen had 25. Robinson was 9-of-20 and had 22 points. Milwaukee, which passed the ball fluidly during a 50-point trouncing of the Hornets on Monday, looked skittish against the Lakers' defense and often settled for bad shots. J.R. Reid, facing the team he left as a free agent during the offseason, went 1-of-7 from the field for Milwaukee. "Two nights ago, we were the best we've ever been, and tonight we were stopped by a damn good basketball team," Karl said. Los Angeles' 87-66 lead after three was sabotaged by eight Lakers turnovers in the fourth quarter. Milwaukee cut its deficit to 89-79 with four minutes to play and 99-90 with a minute left, but Bryant and O'Neal, who was 7-of-10 from the free-throw line, hit big shots to put it away. The Bucks went 28-of-28 from the free-throw line, including 10-of-10 by Allen and 8-of-8 by Cassell. Game notesLakers forward Robert Horry broke his nose in a collision under the basket late in the fourth quarter. He is listed as day-to-day. ... The Lakers have beaten the Bucks eight straight times. ... Los Angeles plays at Indiana on Friday and at Minnesota on Saturday. ... The Bradley Center observed a moment of silence for Charlotte guard Bobby Phills, who was killed in a car accident on Wednesday. Phills scored eight points against the Bucks on Monday in his final game. ... As in any NBA city they visit, the Lakers had a sizeable contingent of fans at the Bradley Center. Los Angeles was playing in a sold-out road arena for the seventh straight time. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard LA Lakers Clubhouse Milwaukee Clubhouse RECAPS Boston 95 LA Clippers 88
LA Lakers 103
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