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Lakers Dominate JazzShaq Fouls Out, But Lakers Stomp Jazz 82-71LOS ANGELES, Updated 11:08 a.m. PST January 4, 2001 -- Shaquille O'Neal was his usual dominating self against Utah before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter Wednesday night. Surprisingly, the Los Angeles Lakers dominated the Jazz without him. Kobe Bryant scored 10 of his 31 points after O'Neal left as the Lakers beat the slumping Jazz 82-71. O'Neal had 24 points, 17 rebounds and five blocked shots before picking up his sixth foul with 6:10 remaining and the Lakers leading 64-57. Official Ron Olesiak then called a technical on O'Neal, who picked up his fifth foul 49 seconds earlier. John Stockton made three foul shots -- one on the technical and two on the personal -- to draw Utah within four points, and it was 64-62 before the Lakers went on an 18-6 run to put the Jazz away. "We've had experience playing when I'm not in the game and when Shaquille's not in the game," said Bryant, the NBA's leading scorer. "We just kind of reached back into our memory bank as a team and played well as a team." Winning their third straight game and eighth of their last nine, the Lakers also reversed a 97-92 loss to the Jazz on Nov. 1 that put a damper on their NBA championship ring ceremony. "It feels good to beat them, kind of avenge that home opener," Bryant said. "They came in here struggling." The Jazz have lost a season-high four straight games and eight of 12 since winning 16 of their first 20. "Kobe made some big shots; that's who he is," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "We've got to work to get better shots; too many mistakes made by our side to even have a chance." O'Neal made six of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter before fouling out as the Jazz intentionally put him at the line in the final period. He refused comment after the game. Bryon Russell and Donyell Marshall led Utah with 16 points and eight rebounds each, and Karl Malone added 14 points. Malone, who shot three of 14, has scored a total of just 56 points in Utah's four recent losses. "When I play well, we play well; it's that simple," said Malone, who passed Wilt Chamberlain earlier this season to become the second-leading scorer in NBA history. "I missed some easy shots, had some turnovers. "I'm just not in a good flow right now. I've been through times like this before, but I have to keep working my way out of it. I've always been a guy to work my way out of it." The Lakers, who lead the NBA in scoring, were on top by the ridiculously low score of 33-28 at halftime and scored the final five points of the third quarter for a 52-47 lead. Lakers coach Phil Jackson praised Horace Grant for his defensive effort on Malone. "We had a great defensive game plan," Grant said. "We tried to limit his touches and put a hand up on his shots. I think that's why he had an off night." Utah shot three of five and committed six turnovers in a 10-point second quarter, and its 28 points were a season-low for a half, as were its 71 points for a game.
Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
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