Game 3 Report

FIRST QUARTER

MINNESOTA 17 LAKERS 24

Highlight reel: For the first time in the playoffs, the Lakers’ Gary Payton started off looking for his shot, and he knocked down jumpers from all over the floor against Sam Cassell. Payton made six of seven shots, including two three-point baskets, and scored 14 of the Lakers’ first 18 points.

Not in the box score: How the Timberwolves’ Wally Szczerbiak and Michael Olowokandi were booed by Staples Center fans when they entered the game. Szczerbiak received this treatment because of a questionable pick he tried to set on Derek Fisher in Game 3. But Olowokandi? It’s anyone’s guess. Maybe because he’s an ex-Clipper?

Winning number: 11, assists by the Lakers on 11 field goals. The Lakers’ willingness to pass helped push them into a lead with Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant each having three assists.

Wrong number: Zero, points scored by Bryant in the quarter. But unlike his one-shot-attempt effort against Sacramento during the regular season, Bryant was in the flow of the offense despite shooting only once.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Payton 14, Malone 6, Shaquille O’Neal 4; Timberwolves -- Cassell 7, Kevin Garnett 6.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 6, Malone and Payton 2; Timberwolves -- Ervin Johnson and Garnett 2.

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SECOND QUARTER

MINNESOTA 35 LAKERS 44

Highlight reel: Garnett is always tough operating with the ball in the post, especially when someone such as Slava Medvedenko is defending him. Early in the quarter, Garnett beat Medvedenko along the right baseline with an up-and-under move that he finished with an uncontested finger roll.

Not in the box score: After Malone accidentally slapped Cassell in the face, he apologized to the veteran guard following a timeout. But after the testiness of Game 2, which featured several run-ins with the Timberwolves and a Malone ejection, the apology did not seem too sincere.

Winning number: Eight, points in the quarter for the Lakers’ Devean George, who became a factor with his long-range shooting and perimeter defense. George made all three first-half attempts, including a deep three-pointer before the 24-second clock expired.

Wrong number: Zero, points in the first half by Bryant, who missed another shot in the second quarter to make him 0 for 2. But he did have three assists in the half.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- George 8, O’Neal 4, Malone, Medvedenko and Fisher 2; Timberwolves -- Cassell 8, Garnett 6, Fred Hoiberg and Sprewell 2.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal and Fisher 2; Timberwolves -- Garnett 4, Hoiberg 3, Szczerbiak 2.

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THIRD QUARTER

MINNESOTA 65 LAKERS 70

Highlight reel: Bryant made his first basket of the game, a rainbow jumper from the corner over Trent Hassell and Garnett, who teamed up to execute near-perfect defense. Bryant dribbled to his right and then faded away and shot the ball high into the air and straight through the net.

Not in the box score: For a Western Conference finals game, the crowd seemed a little flat compared to the intensity in Staples Center for the San Antonio series. Part of the problem was the lackluster performance of the Lakers, who played well enough to keep a small lead.

Winning number: 14, points in the quarter for Szczerbiak, who perforated the Laker defense with a string of perimeter baskets. Szczerbiak did not miss a shot in the quarter, going three for three from the field and seven for seven from the free-throw line.

Wrong number: Eight, free throws missed by O’Neal in the first three quarters, including five in the third. After making nine of 11 in Game 1, O’Neal made only eight of his next 24 from the line over a seven-quarter span.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 11, O’Neal 6, Payton and George 4; Timberwolves -- Szczerbiak 14, Hassell 6, Garnett 5, Cassell 3.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 5; Timberwolves -- Garnett and Szczerbiak 2.

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FOURTH QUARTER

MINNESOTA 89 LAKERS 100

Highlight reel: Bryant may have had a slug- gish first half but he stepped up with back-to- back three-pointers in a span of 25 seconds as the Lakers opened a double-digit advantage. Bryant’s first three-pointer came from the right wing, and he made the other one after faking out Sprewell.

Not in the box score: How O’Neal took over the quarter with a couple of inside baskets early and some free throws late. With former Laker Mark Madsen trying his best to defend him, O’Neal woke up Laker fans, who had not been making too much noise until then.

Winning number: 36, combined points in the second half for Bryant and O’Neal, who attempted a combined 29 free throws and made 17 in that time.

Wrong number: Zero, points in the final quarter for Cassell, who seemed to be bothered by his hip and back injuries. Without Cassell’s scoring the Timberwolves’ offense struggled. Garnett, who committed his fifth foul with 6:13 remaining, took only two shots, making one.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 11, O’Neal 7, Fisher 4, Luke Walton 3; Timberwolves -- Sprewell 12, Garnett and Szczerbiak 5.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 4, Malone and Fisher 3; Timberwolves -- Garnett 3, Szczerbiak and Hoiberg 2.