Thursday, June 7 Bryant's struggles contribute to Lakers' loss Associated Press LOS ANGELES -- The championship might still be won, but the Los Angeles Lakers won't become the first team to sweep through the playoffs. Dikembe Mutombo denies Kobe Bryant at the hoop for one of his five blocks. Maybe the nine-day layoff after the Western Conference finals did hurt. It certainly didn't help Kobe Bryant, who was anything but the NBA's best player in Game 1 of the NBA Finals as he had been annointed by Shaquille O'Neal after the Lakers overpowered San Antonio in Game 1 of the conference finals. Despite a big night by O'Neal and a terrific performance off the bench by seldom-used Tyronn Lue, the Lakers lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 107-101 in overtime Wednesday night, snapping their 19-game winning streak. The loss was their first since April 1. O'Neal had 44 points and 20 rebounds, but Bryant made only seven of 22 shots in scoring 15 points, and committed several costly turnovers as the Lakers went down after sweeping Portland, Sacramento and San Antonio to begin the playoffs. They had become the second team ever to open the playoffs with 11 wins, joining the 1989 Lakers, who were then swept by the Detroit Pistons. Iverson scored 48 points, but none for about 15 minutes under the tight defense of Lue until getting seven straight near the end of overtime to put the 76ers ahead for good. Lue, a speedy 6-footer who didn't figure to play much in the finals, was called upon for the first time with 5:23 left in the third quarter and the Lakers trailing 73-58. He immediately made his presence felt, assisting on three baskets by O'Neal and getting two steals as the Lakers outscored the 76ers 19-6 to finish the third period to draw within two. Lue, a surprise when it was announced he was on the Lakers' playoff roster and the man who imitated Iverson in Lakers' practices, finished with five points and five steals. He opened the fourth quarter on Iverson, who made a 3-pointer early in the quarter, but didn't score again until his overtime flurry. Bryant, who has played exceptionally at both ends of the court during the playoffs, was torched by Iverson in the second quarter for 18 points. Derek Fisher, who was also terrific against the Spurs in going 15-for-20 from 3-point range, didn't score in this game, missing all four shots he tried and taking a seat for good when replaced by Lue. Playing their first game since completing the sweep of San Antonio on May 27, the Lakers had expressed concern about being rusty. "I hope we pick up where we left off," coach Phil Jackson said before the game, a most pleasant thought considering how his team played during the previous two months. "It may not happen that way." It appeared Jackson had no reason for worry when his team ran off 16 straight points for an 18-5 lead midway through the first quarter, dominating every facet of the game. But it didn't last. It was 21-9 when the 76ers went on a 13-2 run to finish the period, and by that time, Fisher, who opened the game on Iverson, was on the bench, giving Bryant a crack at the MVP. Things didn't work out well at all, and Bryant wasn't much better at the other end of the court, either, missing just about everything he threw up. By the time the game reached halftime, the 76ers had a 56-50 lead, and Iverson had outscored Bryant and Fisher 30-4. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories

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