Scorching Lakers take over top spot in Western Conference

Gary Payton netted 17 points and Karl Malone added 14 points and eight boards for the Lakers, who have won 11 straight games and took over sole possession for the top spot in the Western Conference. Los Angeles leads both Minnesota and Sacramento for the top spot in the conference.

"We are trying to win as many games as we can," said O’Neal. "For for a lot of guys on this team, it’s important to win first place."

Ray Allen poured in a game-high 30 points and handed out seven assists for the SuperSonics, who have dropped four straight contests. Rashard Lewis chipped in 25 in the setback.

Los Angeles made a blazing 56 percent of its shots (39-of-70), while the Sonics hit on 34-of-76 field-goal attempts (45 percent).

Seattle led 13-9 midway through the first quarter and increased its advantage to eight points at 25-17 after one.

The Lakers came right back as they began the second period on a 14-0 run, keyed by five from Devean George and four from O’Neal, to claim a 31-25 lead with just under nine minutes left in the quarter.

The Sonics, though, countered with a 15-7 spurt to forge ahead 40-38. The rest of the half remained tight and Seattle led 51-47 at halftime.

Allen scored 18 points, while O’Neal had 10 for the Lakers in the opening 24 minutes.

In the third, Seattle led 60-59, but the Lakers then used a 6-0 run to grab a five-point edge midway through the quarter. Los Angeles led 77-70 after three periods.

The Sonics closed within 79-75 on Lewis’ dunk with 7:01 left in the game, but Los Angeles stretched the cushion to 86-77 on Payton’s three-pointer just over three minutes later.

The cushion grew to 91-78 moments later on Malone’s dunk and Seattle never threatened again.