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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Even for Shaquille O'Neal, it was an
atrocious night at the free throw line -- the worst in NBA history.
|  | | Gary Payton scored 25 points Friday night to help the Sonics beat the Lakers and to surpass 14,000 career points. |
O'Neal went a record 0-for-11 from the line Friday, and
Seattle's Gary Payton scored 25 points to reach 14,000 in his
career and lead the SuperSonics to a 103-95 win over Los Angeles.
O'Neal had 26 points and 16 rebounds, but his free throw
futility cost the Lakers and also broke the record set by another
dominant center who had trouble making foul shots -- Wilt
Chamberlain.
Chamberlain went 0-for-10 for Philadelphia against Detroit on
Nov. 4, 1960, the previous mark for most attempts without making
one.
O'Neal, a career 53 percent shooter from the line, has made only
38 percent this season, although he says he has been concentrating
on improving what is the only really weak link in his game.
"I was probably trying too hard," he said. "I just have to
concentrate a little bit more. I always make them in practice, so I
just have to make them in a game," he said.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson said: "Obviously his free throw
shooting really hurt us. Shaq slipped back into a position where he
was shooting well for a couple of games and now fell back again.
"It's unfortunate for him; I know that's a big blow to him."
It was the Sonics' second victory over the defending NBA
champions in eight days, including a 121-88 rout at Seattle that
was Los Angeles' worst loss since 1995.
Vin Baker added 15 points and Patrick Ewing had 10 points and 16
rebounds as the Sonics handed the Lakers only their second loss in
12 home games this season.
"We can play basketball just like they can play basketball,"
Payton said. "We had close games with them last year, but we just
couldn't finish.
"This year, we're playing a lot better against them and I think
we're executing a little bit more."
Kobe Bryant, coming off a 51-point performance in a 125-122
overtime loss at Golden State two nights earlier, was held to 19
points on 8-of-25 shooting.
The Sonics, who held a narrow lead most of the way, were up
82-76 heading into the fourth quarter. Los Angeles closed to 92-90
with 4:02 remaining, but Seattle spurted away again.
Seattle's Emanual Davis, who sprained his left ankle in a 112-99
loss to Detroit on Wednesday, was a late scratch after he tested
the ankle during warmups and decided it was too sore.
Ruben Patterson replaced him in the starting lineup and scored
11 points.
Mike Penberthy hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer ending the first
half as the Lakers, who trailed 51-39 with five minutes left in the
half, pulled even at 57.
But they never led in the second half.
Isaiah Rider, who showed up late and was kept on the bench by
Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson in a 125-122 overtime loss at Golden
State on Wednesday, sparked the Lakers' 18-6 run to close out the
first half. He finished with 16 points, eight in the second
quarter.
Game notes
Payton has 14,009 points and needs 26 more to pass Fred
Brown and become Seattle's all-time leading scorer. ... The Lakers'
Jackson said before the game that he had suggested to Bryant that
maybe he could help Rider figure out where to get shots in the
triangle offense, and Jackson related with a smile: "Kobe told me
he hasn't even completely figured it out, so he said, `Let him
figure it out for himself.' I think that's so Kobe can continue to
get his 30 shots a game." ... Los Angeles' loss at Seattle was its
worst since a 46-point defeat by Portland in 1995.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Seattle Clubhouse
LA Lakers Clubhouse
RECAPS
Indiana 104
Boston 91
Charlotte 92
LA Clippers 87
Miami 80
Atlanta 76
New Jersey 86
Phoenix 84
Dallas 105
Chicago 86
Philadelphia 107
Portland 94
Toronto 108
Golden State 92
Seattle 103
LA Lakers 95
Sacramento 111
Houston 98
 FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Kobe Bryant Official Site
Rick Fox Official Site
Mark Madsen Official Site
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