GAME 1 REPORT

FIRST QUARTER

Highlight Reel: Scottie Pippen has led by example throughout the postseason and he put together a string of plays to spark the Trail Blazers early. Pippen first blew past Glen Rice for a dunk, then picked off an A.C. Green pass for a fastbreak dunk, and followed that with a three-point basket with the shot clock running down.

It’s Not in the Box Score: How effectively Portland was able to defend the Lakers’ halfcourt offense with multiple double teams, but was rocked by L.A.’s 50% shooting from the field.

Winning Number: Six. Damon Stoudamire had his way against the Lakers during the regular season and he continued to give them problems with his quickness, scoring six points.

Wrong Number: One. Field goals made by Ron Harper in six attempts.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Rice 7. Trail Blazers: Pippen 7.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Shaquille O’Neal 3. Trail Blazers: Rasheed Wallace and Stoudamire each with 2.

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SECOND QUARTER

Highlight Reel: You don’t see this often but Brian Grant was able to block a shot by O’Neal, who had made a power move to the basket, and forced a jump ball.

It’s Not in the Box Score: How Staples Center fans cheered “Horry, Horry, Horry” after forward Robert Horry made a couple of key baskets and defensive stops to ignite a Laker rally.

Winning Number: 21. The number of points the Lakers outscored Portland by after the teams finished the first quarter tied at 26.

Wrong Number: 16. The number of points scored in the quarter by the Trail Blazers, who seemed eager to match the Phoenix Suns’ second-quarter total of nine against the Lakers on Tuesday.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: Horry 12. Trail Blazers: Pippen 5.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Kobe Bryant and Rice each with 2. Trail Blazers: Grant 3.

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THIRD QUARTER

Highlight Reel: Talk about Laker teamwork. With a comfortable lead, the Lakers dusted off their passing skills when Rice connected on a backdoor pass to a slashing Bryant under the basket, who dropped off an assist to O’Neal for a dunk.

It’s Not in the Box Score: The scowl on the face of Wallace as he had a running feud with referee Ron Garretson throughout the quarter until he finally was ejected with his second technical foul.

Winning Number: 11. The points scored by O’Neal, who made five of six field-goal attempts and dominated any defender the Trail Blazers put on the floor.

Wrong Number: Zero. The amount of points scored by Arvydas Sabonis, who had two fouls and three field-goal attempts.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 11. Trail Blazers: Bonzi Wells 6.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: Green 2. Trail Blazers: Pippen 5.

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FOURTH QUARTER

Highlight Reel: After getting tired of Portland’s Hack-a-Shaq tactic, O’Neal made his highlight plays from the free-throw line by making seven consecutive attempts. He also made sure the Trail Blazer bench knew it on his way back down the court.

It’s Not in the Box Score: How L.A. Coach Phil Jackson loves to have his team play defense near the Laker bench so he can whistle and get his players’ attention better. Jackson also doesn’t mind making sure the officials are seeing the same thing he does.

Winning Number: 11. The number of points scored by Wells, who helped Portland make a late run with his aggressiveness on both ends of the court.

Wrong Number: 25. The number of free throws attempted by O’Neal.

Leading Scorers: Lakers: O’Neal 16. Trail Blazers: Wells 11.

Leading Rebounders: Lakers: O’Neal 6. Trail Blazers: Detlef Schrempf 4.