NO LETUP BY LAKERS NEW TACK ON HACK CAN'T SAVE CLIPPERS LAKERS 98, CLIPPERS 93.Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer ``Hack-a-Shaq'' typically is the craze when opponents send Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). to the free-throw line free-throw line n. See foul line. late in games. On Tuesday night, the Clippers tried ``Hack-a-Hunter.'' Clippers coach Alvin Gentry Alvin Gentry is an American professional basketball coach, and college basketball player, who has led three different NBA teams. He served as an interim coach for the Miami Heat at the end of the 1995 season, and later coached the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Clippers. , who coached Lindsey Hunter Lindsey Benson Hunter, Jr. (born December 3 1970, in Utica, Mississippi) is an American professional basketball player in the NBA. He is a guard for the Detroit Pistons in active rotation off the bench. with the Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. Franchise history From Fort Wayne to Detroit , repeatedly sent the point guard to the line. It worked. But it wasn't enough to upset the Lakers. Hunter missed six consecutive free throws in the final 1:18, yet the Lakers beat the Clippers 98-93 before 20,316 Tuesday night at Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. . The Lakers built a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter and withstood a late Clippers surge. ``When you're bad, you're bad,'' said Hunter, who also shot just 1 of 8 from the field. ``If you shoot as bad as I have, you're gonna get 'Hack-a- Hunter.' It's funny to me. The last two I shot, I knew they didn't have a chance.'' The Clippers had 13-2 run to pull to 92-89 with 1:02 left when Jeff McInnis Jeff Lemans McInnis (born October 22 1974 in Charlotte, North Carolina) is an American NBA basketball player, currently playing point guard for the Charlotte Bobcats. made a running jump shot. But the Lakers finally got the game under control when Lakers coach Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson (born September 17, 1945 in Deer Lodge, Montana) is the current coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, an American professional basketball team. inserted Brian Shaw Brian K. Shaw (born March 22, 1966 in Oakland, California) is a former professional basketball player. The 6' 6" Shaw could play both guard spots, but was used primarily at point guard over the course of his 14 seasons in the league. for Hunter. Shaw made four consecutive free throws in the final 47 seconds to seal the victory. Shaquille O'Neal had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant (born July 23 1978) is an American All-Star shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. had 25 points and 12 assists to lead the Lakers (9-1). It was Bryant's career high in assists. ``He's very unselfish and moving the ball well,'' Jackson said of Bryant. ``I thought he made some passes that he should have shot.'' The Lakers outscored the Clippers 25-18 in the third quarter and won the game in that period. The O'Neal-Bryant duo teamed up for several nice plays in the third quarter to give the Lakers a 77-64 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Midway through the third quarter. O'Neal snagged a rebound, then drove the length of the floor, split the Clippers' defense, and dunked to give the Lakers a 61-48 lead. ``I'm glad that I have that talent and I'm allowed to do that,'' O'Neal said. ``Phil and (assistant coach Tex Winter) - they want me to do it more.'' Another highlight came with 5:03 left in the third quarter. O'Neal gave an over-the-shoulder pass to Bryant, who scored to give the Lakers a 66-52 lead, their biggest lead through three quarters. The inside game was a game of mismatches. While O'Neal had his way with the Clippers' centers, Elton Brand took advantage of the Lakers' power forwards. Brand had 22 points and 19 rebounds, and Darius Miles had 16 points and seven rebounds for the Clippers (5-6). This was the Clippers' 17th loss in their last 18 meetings with the Lakers. The Clippers controlled the boards by outrebounding the Lakers 57-39. The Clippers had 25 offensive rebounds to the Lakers' 10. It wasn't typical Lakers rebounding. ``I can't remember the last time we did that,'' Jackson said. ``You have to give their team credit. They are very quick to the basketball.'' CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1 -- color) Michael Olowokandi, left, and Cory Maggette of the Clippers try to take ball from the Lakers' Kobe Bryant in the first quarter Tuesday night at Staples Center. (2) Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal powers his way to an easy basket. At right is Clippers guard Quintin Richardson. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer Box: Game Recap |
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