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LA Lakers clobber Yao Ming's Rockets 98-84
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-04-20 14:47

Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone seldom have two bad games in a row, and their efforts Monday night helped the Los Angeles Lakers overcome Shaquille O'Neal's lowest-scoring playoff game ever.

Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal (R) fouls Chinese star and Houston Rockets center Yao Ming their Western Conference quarterfinal playoff game, April 19, 2004 in Los Angeles. [Reuters]

Bryant scored 17 of his 36 points in the third quarter, and Malone had 17 points and eight rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Houston Rockets 98-84 for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

O'Neal, in foul trouble most of the game, had a career playoff-low seven points and seven rebounds. His previous low was 11 points against Utah in 1997.

The best-of-seven series moves to Houston for Games 3 and 4 Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

In Game 1, Bryant shot 4-of-19 for 16 points and Malone was 3-of-14 for seven points in the Lakers' 72-71 victory. It was a much different story this time, with Bryant shooting 9-of-20 from the field and 16-of-17 from the foul line. Malone shot 7-of-12.

After being held to a season-low 32.9 percent shooting in the opener, the Lakers shot 45.3 percent in Game 2.

Steve Francis, appearing in just his second playoff game, became the fourth Houston player to record a triple-double in the playoffs with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. He has six in the regular season during his five-year career.

Yao Ming scored 21 points and Jim Jackson added 19 for the Rockets.

Derek Fisher scored 11 points and Kareem Rush had 10 for the Lakers.

Houston Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy (L) and center Yao Ming of China react as the Los Angeles Lakers score another basket, during Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series, April 19, 2004 in Los Angeles. The Lakers defeated the Rockets 98-84 to take a 2-0 lead in the series. [Reuters]

Rush made two 3-pointers in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter for his first points as part of a 19-7 run that gave the Lakers an 85-69 lead.

Rush also made two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter of Game 1.

O'Neal picked up his fourth foul less than three minutes into the third quarter with the game tied. With backup Slava Medvedenko sidelined by a strained right Achilles' tendon, Lakers coach Phil Jackson had no choice but to leave O'Neal in.

Bryant made two free throws and O'Neal converted a three-point play to give the Lakers a 61-56 lead. The field goal was O'Neal's second of the game.

Bryant scored six points in the last 15.8 seconds of the period to give the Lakers a 74-64 lead.

O'Neal had only two points and four rebounds in the first half, playing only 14 minutes because of foul trouble.

The Lakers scored eight straight points for a 33-25 lead early in the second quarter. But the Rockets went on an 8-0 run of their own to finish the period for a 46-44 halftime lead.

Yao scored 10 points in the first nine minutes to equal his total in Game 1. O'Neal blocked Yao twice in the opening 19 seconds, but committed two fouls in the first 6:05 and sat out the rest of the first quarter, which ended with the Lakers leading 23-22.

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