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Streaking Lakers surges over Sonics
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-04-03 14:30 Shaquille O'Neal had 23 points
and 14 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Seattle SuperSonics 97-86
on Friday night to run their winning streak to 11 games and take the Western
Conference lead.
Kobe Bryant scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to help the
Lakers move a half-game ahead of Sacramento and Minnesota for the top spot in
the Western Conference.
Karl Malone added 14 points and eight rebounds, and Gary Payton scored 17 in
his second game as a visitor in Seattle.
It was close most of the night until Malone, Payton and O'Neal scored the
last seven points of the third quarter to put the Lakers up 77-70. Bryant hit
two jumpers and a 3-pointer as the Lakers raced away in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers are an NBA best 22-4 since the All-Star break and they won on the
road despite an early morning arrival that could have worn them down one night
after a home win against Houston.
Ray Allen scored 30 points, and Rashard Lewis had 25 for Seattle, but it
wasn't enough to keep the Sonics from losing their fourth straight. Brent Barry
had 10 points and 11 assists, and Reggie Evans had 14 rebounds.
The Sonics kept it close despite playing without Vladimir Radmanovic, who
went on the injured list earlier Friday.
Without him, coach Nate McMillan used a smaller lineup, a strategy that
appeared to backfire when the Lakers scored the first 14 points of the second
quarter to take 31-25 lead.
Allen and Lewis, though, started hitting from the floor and the Sonics got a
lift from reserve Ansu Sesay.
Seattle closed with a 26-16 run over the last 8:18 of the first half and led
51-47 at the break.
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