Shaq, Lakers Top Warriors

Despite the happy ending, Kobe Bryant might have had more fun at the movies.

A day after catching the film "Romeo Must Die" while sitting out a one-game suspension, Bryant was held to 16 points as the Los Angeles Lakers struggled to a 111-104 win Wednesday night over the woeful Golden State Warriors.

Shaquille O'Neal scored 49 points as the Lakers won their 11th straight game and clinched homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. Los Angeles has won 30 of its last 31 games.

"Kobe couldn't shoot and couldn't get anyone else going for us out there," Jackson said. "They tried everything against (O'Neal) and he found a way to get to the basket."

Devean George hit all four of his 3-point attempts and scored 14 points for the Lakers. The rookie had hit just 10 3-pointers all season before Wednesday night.

"Now that we have the playoffs wrapped up for home court, I think we're going to rest some more people and that gives me a chance to play a little more," George said.

Bryant, suspended for fighting New York's Chris Childs on Sunday, went 5-for-14 from the field and was held six points below his average. The Lakers trailed for most of the game, regaining the lead only in the final second of the third period.

Donyell Marshall had 32 points and 18 rebounds for the Warriors, who lost their season-high eighth straight home game.

"I think we're a team that shows hw good we are, and then we show how bad we can be," Marshall said. "We've got to go out there and put that effort in with other opponents. We're in the NBA. We're got to play good every night."

Golden State has lost 10 straight overall, and 18 of 19. This is the second time the Warriors have had a 10-game losing streak this season they lost 12 straight in December and January.

After trailing 51-47 at halftime, the Lakers pulled ahead 77-75 entering the fourth quarter as O'Neal scored 18 points while going 5-for-5 from the field in the third period. Bryant hit a 3-pointer with one-tenth of a second left in the third to give Los Angeles its first lead since the opening quarter.

Brian Shaw and George hit consecutive 3-pointers to open the fourth period and give the Lakers an 83-75 lead,and two straight baskets by O'Neal made it 87-77. Another 3-pointer by George made it 95-81 with 6:21 remaining.

Marshall hit a 3-pointer with 2:50 left to cap a 15-7 run that pulled the Warriors within six points, and Sam Jacobson's follow shot with 2:13 left pulled Golden State to 102-98. But O'Neal added two more baskets and Bryant hit five foul shots as the Lakers held on for the win.

The Warriors used a 15-2 run bridging the first and second periods to take a 30-21 lead, and held a four-point halftime lead. Marshall had 15 points in the first half, while O'Neal had 18 points and nine rebounds.

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