TORONTO (Monday, December 20, 1999) -
Kobe Byrant scored 26 points and Shaquille O'Neal had 24 points and 15 rebounds as the Los
Angeles Lakers won their sixth straight game Sunday with a 94-88 victory over the
struggling Toronto Raptors.
Glen Rice added 22 points for the Lakers, who have won 13 of 14 and own the NBA's best
record (21-5). The Raptors have lost three straight and five of six.
The Lakers led by as many as 19, but the Raptors went on a 14-3 run late in the fourth
quarter, to close within four, as Vince Carter, who scored 29 points, made two free throws
with 1:25 remaining.
But Bryant followed with a jumper in traffic to give the Lakers an 86-80 lead with just
over a minute left. Bryant then fouled Carter, who again made both free throws.
Toronto's Dee Brown fouled Ron Harper, who made his two attempts to build the lead back
to six points. After a crossover, Carter made a reverse lay-up with 44.7 seconds remaining
to make it 88-84.
But Bryant hit two more free throws and after a Tracy McGrady miss and an O'Neal
rebound, Bryant made one of two free throws to give the Lakers 91-86 lead.
Following an Antonio Davis dunk, O'Neal clinched the game by making two free throws
with just over 10 seconds left to make it 93-86.
Rice had 15 points in the first quarter as the Lakers led 30-17.