By InsideHoops.com

Raw, unedited game notes from Madison Square Garden.

Forget the first quarter. Lets start with the second.

Early in the quarter, the Madison Square Garden public address announcer mentioned a few former Knicks in the crowd, one of which was Dick Barnett. Barnett sort of nodded to the camera, saying something that sort of looked like "Yeah, that's right, beyotches!"

Shaq posted up Clarence Weatherspoon on the left baseline, turned and shot an airball over the basket. I think it was because O'Neal was in such shock over a little midget (by Shaq's standards) guarding him that it threw his shot off.

Clarence Weatherspoon continues to guard Shaq. It just looks wrong.

It's Lakers 35 Knicks 28.

It took a while, but Shaq finally got in the paint, caught a pass, and dunked over Clarence. Knicks ball, and Weatherspoon responded by scoring.

Next play, Shaq posted Weatherspoon up on the right baseline, shot over him, and missed.

Eventually, Michael Doleac came in and got put onto Shaq.

Charlie Ward has 0 points still, with 3:20 left in the first half.

Charlie Ward ran a fast break that appeared as if it was a slow-motion television replay. It worked, he got the layup on the break.

The Lakers have dunked 117 times in the second quarter.

During halftime, a lucky fan fired a shot from the halfcourt line, the shot went in, and he won a trip to Hong Kong.

Kobe Bryant posted up against Latrell Sprewell, lost the ball, caught it (the crowd wanted a travel), and forced an insanely hard jumper. Nothing but net.

The next play, Kobe drove, got past everyone, Kurt Thomas tried to draw a charge, but Kobe just went up, and up, and scored without charging.

The next play, Kobe got the ball and touch-passed it to Shaq, who got to the line.

It's now Lakers 74 Knicks 54.

Kobe just hit a 3. He's got 27 points. It's Lakers 77 Knicks 54.

Someone on the Knicks just scored, but I forget who. I'm still thinking about Kobe's last few plays.

Shaq posted up Kurt Thomas, rammed him about 250 times, went up for the shot, got blocked (quite heroically) by Kurt, but Shaq got the loose ball and, thanks to his bulk, completed the attack.

It's now Lakers 83 Knicks 59.

Kobe just hit a three with a defender in his eye. Nothing but net. He then held his hand in the air, a la Jordan. He now has 33 points.

Kobe again, a jumper. Now 35 points.

This Bryant dude ain't too shabby.

After a Knicks free throw, Kobe got the ball, drew a ton of defensive attention, lost the ball while driving to the basket, got it back, and quickly fired it to Shaq who was wide open underneath for a dunk.

Kobe wants the ball. He's asking for it every play.

Kobe again has the ball, draws insane amount of attention, gets the ball to Shaq, who fires a no-look pass to Medvedenko underneath the basket for a basket.

Next Lakers possession? Kobe with a jumper. He has 38 points now.

A few possessions later? Kobe with a jumper from the right elbow, falls down, no foul called, but the shot goes in. 40 points.

End of 3rd quarter, it's Lakers 97 Knicks 67.

Lee Nailon is in, and standing out thanks to a slick bright orange headband.

Kobe's human right now. He missed a jumper early in the 4th, and now just drew a double team in the corner and tried to shoot over it, missing again.

Next play, Kobe drew defenders inside, tried to dish, turned the ball over.

Shaq hasn't played in the 4th quarter yet. There's a timeout at the 8:14 mark. With Shaq out, the defense is successfully containing Kobe. It's Lakers 97 Knicks 77. That's right, it's Knicks 10 Lakers 0 so far in the quarter.

Timeout.

Now, Shaq is in, Kobe is out.

The Knicks keep rolling. It's now Lakers 97 Knicks 83. The garden crowd has come alive, screaming for defense.

Finally, with about 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Lakers have their first points, thanks to a Derek Fisher shot.

Sprewell for 3. The crowd is getting pumped.

Michael Doleac is guarding Shaq. It kind of looks like Steve Kerr guarding Karl Malone.

Sprewell gets the ball in the corner, forces a three with a defender nearby, nothing but net. It's Lakers up by 12 with 5:14 left. But Othella blows a shot jump-hook.

Shaq draws a foul. Going to the line.

Timeout. The crowd gives a solid ovation. Not ecstatic, but solid. Effort recognized.

Some of the worst dancing I've ever seen is being highlighted on Gardenvision at the top of the arena. First, a kid who had no idea what he was doing. Then, a 30-something guy who knew he was dancing horribly, and that's what made it good.

The white pants of the Knicks City Dancers know their role and do their job.

With 4:30 left it's still Lakers by 12. Both Kobe and Shaq are in.

Doleac from deep? Nothing but net. 10-point game. THe crowd's screaming for defense. Shaq posts up Doleac, slams into him 20 times, foul called on Doleac.

Kobe gets the ball, guarded by Latrell Sprewell, pump-fakes about 200 times, nothing but net.

Charlie Ward answers with a 3. With 3:18 left, it's Lakers 107 Knicks 98.

Doleac from outside again. Nothign but net. MSG crowd going insane, screaming for defense.

Michael Doleac fouled out with 2:27 to go, and received a full standing ovation from the crowd. It's Lakers by 7 with 2:27 to go.

The Knicks lineup with 2:27 to go is Charlie Ward, Latrell Sprewell, Lee Nailon, Othella Harrington and Kurt Thomas.

Nailon nails a layup. Lakers by 5 with 1:44 to go. Crowd going insane.

Ward with a steal. Knicks slow it up.

Kobe with a steal. But it's called a foul.

Sprewell with a drive - rejected by Shaq.

Kobe and Shaq run a give-and-go, of sorts. Shaq to the line. Misses the first. Makes the second.

Under a minute left, Lakers by 6. The Lakers walk the ball up, the Knicks provide a bit of pressure, but wait a full ten seconds or so before Sprewell fouls Kobe.

Lakers 110 Knicks 102 with 30 seconds left. Fans heading to the exits.

About 5 feet from my seat, some girls decked out in Lakers jerseys, Lakers hats, and stuff painted on their face appear happy.

About two-thirds of the fans are still here. Maybe half of them. Something like that.

Mark Madsen is coming in. Shaq exits. Fans boo him.

Sprewell exits. The fans are exiting, and tired, but he draws solid applause.

I just had a flashback to one of Kobe's earlier dunks.

Howard Eisley hits a 3. Lakers by 4, with 2.7 seconds left.

I just had a flashback to the white pants the Knicks dancers were wearing.

Madsen to the line. Nothing but net on the first. Misses the second.

It's over. Final score: Lakers 114 Knicks 109. Kobe finished with 46 points.

Fans got their money's worth tonight in Madison Square Garden.


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