Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - December 1

(Basketball News) - Shaquille O’Neal scored 23 points to help the Los Angeles Lakers win their 25th straight home game after a 99-77 win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday at the Staples Center.

Karl Malone added 11 points and 15 rebounds while Kobe Bryant chipped in with 12 points and seven assists, as the Lakers improved to 10-0 at home this season.

Derek Fisher added 12 points and Stanislav Medvedenko had 10 for Los Angeles, which won its sixth straight game.

The Lakers went into the locker room with a 46-37 advantage before blowing the game open early in the third quarter.

Los Angeles scored nine of the first 13 points in the second half to increase the margin. Payton’s hook shot in the lane finalized the mini-burst to make it a 14-point game at 55-41.

O’Neal converted down low to allow the Lakers’ lead to balloon to 20 with just under a minute to play in the third quarter. Los Angeles went into the final period with a 68-51 lead after the Pacers managed just 14 points in the third quarter.

The game turned into extended garbage time in the final quarter, as both teams emptied their benches and the Lakers cruised to the easy victory.

The Lakers are off until Wednesday when they visit the San Antonio Spurs.