Lakers resist Duncan's challenge

Brothers in harm: Kobe and Shaq see off the Spurs

San Antonio 81-88 Los Angeles

A second consecutive win for the Lakers in San Antonio's Alamodome, has put them firmly in control of the Western Conference final.

Leading 2-0 in their best-of-seven series, Phil Jackson's team can now wrap things up early with a pair of wins at home in California.

They had to finish this game off without their revered coach, however.

Phil Jackson talks himself into an ejection

He was ejected for two technical fouls in the third quarter, but his departure only inspired the Lakers to crush the Spurs 13-5 in the last six minutes to secure an 88-81 victory.

Shaquille O'Neal took charge in Jackson's absence.

"I think the turning point was when Phil got thrown out of the game," he said afterwards.

"I pulled the guys in the huddle and told them: 'Let's go, let's just play loose.' They gave us all they had."

The big centre scored only 19 points on the night, but played tough at the defensive end.

And that freed up Kobe Bryant to drill 28 points, including a three-pointer with one minute to play that put LA up by seven points.

The Lakers won their 17th straight game and their ninth in the play-offs, which represents the longest post-season winning streak since Magic Johnson's Lakers took 11 in a row in 1989.

I see us going home and taking care of business

  Shaquille O'Neal

Monday's game proved a lot harder than the series opener.

Los Angeles trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half and gave up 40 points to the imperious Tim Duncan.

The seven foot tall Duncan could not rely on his 'twin tower' David Robsinon, however, and this proved to be a telling factor.

Robinson, who sat out much of the game in foul trouble, acknowledged how much he was missed: "With two of us in there, it puts pressure on them."

"With one of us out there, it puts a lot of pressure on Tim."

And so to Los Angeles, where O'Neal thinks his team can progress to the NBA final again.

"I see us going home and taking care of business," he said.