LA Lakers win game one
in NBA finals
The Los Angeles Lakers held off a determined challenge from the underdog New Jersey Nets to win the first game of the National Basketball Association's championship series 99-94 on Wednesday.
Center Shaquille O'Neal scored 36 points and guard Kobe Bryant 22 for the Lakers, defending their title for the second time.
The Nets, making their first appearance in the NBA Finals, were never able to overcome a slow start and at one time in the first half they trailed by 23 points.
They gradually whittled down the Lakers lead with guard Jason Kidd leading the offense with 23 points and came within three points in the final quarter.
"Our guys were a little nervous and getting off to a bad start as we did didn't help," Nets coach and former Lakers player Byron Scott told reporters after the game.
Game two of the best-of-seven series will be played in Los Angeles on Friday before the series moves east to New Jersey.
EARLY LEAD
The Lakers raced to a double-digit lead before the game was even halfway through the first quarter and extended their advantage to more than 20 points early in the second quarter.
The Nets then appeared to find their rhythm and had narrowed the deficit by halftime when they trailed 48-36.
"We just needed a while to calm down and unfortunately it took us too long," said Nets center Todd MacCulloch.
The teams provide a contrast of styles with the Lakers offense revolving around massive center O'Neal, one of the big men of basketball, while the Nets, led by guard Kidd, rely more on speed.
"We really want to push the tempo, get it up and down the floor," Nets coach Scott said. The Nets outscored the Lakers in fast break points by 16 to four.
Kidd completed the first triple-double in the NBA Finals since 1993 with 10 assists and 10 rebounds along with his 23 points.
"We realized we had a chance to win this game. So guys aren't holding their heads. We've just got to rebound the ball, get the ball to Jason. He'll make things happen for us," said Nets forward Kenyon Martin who scored 21 points.
The Lakers outrebounded the Nets 50 to 45.
While the Nets were upbeat in defeat, the Lakers were comparatively subdued in victory.
"We're kind of disappointed in ourselves but the first game's out of the way and I'm sure game two is gonna be a little bit better," Lakers center O'Neal said.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson said his team were vulnerable after a gruelling seven-game victory over the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference championship series.
"I got them revved up for the first quarter but we kind of let up on the gas...The rest of the game, the Nets kind of handled the action, especially in the second half," Jackson said.
