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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Could the Los Angeles Lakers actually be a
better team without Kobe Bryant? Probably not, but it's hard to
argue with the results.
|  | | Lakers guard Derek Fisher scored 19 points and made 3-of-5 from 3-point range. |
Shaquille O'Neal had 34 points and 11 rebounds Sunday as the
Lakers used a 17-4 fourth-quarter run to complete a 4-0 road trip
without their star guard and beat the Minnesota Timberwolves
104-99.
Bryant has missed nine of the Lakers' last 10 games, but L.A. is
11-3 without him in the starting lineup this year. O'Neal had his
usual dominant game underneath, but the Lakers' 9-for-16 effort
from 3-point range was the difference.
"They move the ball better when Kobe's not there," Minnesota's
Chauncey Billups said. "You get so zeroed in on what he's doing.
But without him, when they start rotating the ball and knocking
down shots, it's tough to beat them."
Derek Fisher had 19 points, Brian Shaw added 17 and Devean
George scored all 10 of his points in the fourth quarter as the
Lakers stayed one game back of Sacramento in the Pacific Division
and snapped the Timberwolves' three-game winning streak.
"They made us pay," said Kevin Garnett, who tied a season low
with 11 points.
Minnesota still needs two wins or Houston losses to clinch its
fifth straight playoff berth.
With four regular-season games remaining, time is running out
for the Lakers to work Bryant back in the lineup before the
playoffs. He's expected back Tuesday against Phoenix.
"If he's able to blend his talent and slide back in seamlessly,
he can (adjust) in two or three games," Lakers coach Phil Jackson
said. "Otherwise, if our offense has to stop to get readjusted as
he gets back in, it'll be a little longer."
Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders was more concerned with his own
team's sloppiness.
"They're not better without him, but they're (11-3) without
him," Saunders said. "The big thing was that we played out of
character. With our style of play, we can't turn the ball over 21
times and give up 29 points (off turnovers)."
The 21 turnovers were eight above Minnesota's season average.
Terrell Brandon had 23 points, but was scoreless in the fourth.
LaPhonso Ellis added 18 points and Anthony Peeler had 17.
Peeler scored seven straight points early in the fourth quarter
to give the Wolves their biggest lead of the second half, 82-74.
But O'Neal scored six straight to cut the lead to two. Later, five
points by Shaw capped an 11-0 spurt and made it 96-90 Lakers with
1:48 left.
Shaw, Fisher and Rick Fox each made three 3-pointers.
"It's pretty tough to beat us when we're hitting threes," Shaw
said. "Having a big fella opens it up for us, and when we're
hitting shots, it opens up the inside for him."
Ellis, Dean Garrett and Reggie Slater were not much of a match
for O'Neal, as most opponents aren't.
"There's no way to guard me," said O'Neal, who reached the 50
percent mark at the free-throw line by shooting 66 percent over his
last nine games and stayed above that Sunday by going 8-for-12.
"Nobody in this league is quick enough to take away every move
I have," he said.
Game notes
Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale and owner Glen
Taylor, banished by commissioner David Stern from having any
contact with the team after they were caught signing Joe Smith to
an illegal contract, were in attendance Sunday for a halftime
ceremony honoring former Minneapolis Lakers great George Mikan. A
9-foot statue of Mikan was unveiled. ... Los Angeles Lakers coach
Phil Jackson said before the game it was Bryant's call as to
whether he would play. ... Bryant said he's hurt his right ankle
overcompensating for the ailing left one. "I could go with one bad
ankle, but not with both of them," he said. Bryant, though,
expects to return Tuesday against Phoenix. He looked sharp in a
vigorous pregame shootaround, finishing with a few wind sprints and
raising his arms in mock triumph as if he were Sylvester Stallone
in "Rocky."
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NBA Scoreboard
LA Lakers Clubhouse
Minnesota Clubhouse
RECAPS
Miami 81
New York 76
Indiana 108
New Jersey 83
Sacramento 98
Portland 89
Toronto 100
Chicago 88
LA Lakers 104
Minnesota 99
San Antonio 84
Golden State 76
Seattle 101
Milwaukee 88
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