Shaq and Kobe slaughter Spurs

Bryant and O'Neal are on fire for the Lakers

Kobe Bryant scored 36 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 35 and 17 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers beat San Antonio 111-72.

The victory gives the reigning NBA champions a 3-0 advantage in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals.

The Lakers won their 18th consecutive game, and club record 10th in a row in the playoffs.

They inflicted the worst defeat of the season on the Spurs and can complete the sweep and return to the finals with a victory in game four here in LA on Sunday.

"All we have to do is concentrate and play with intensity and effort," Bryant said.

Twisted ankle

Despite the return of San Antonio guard Derek Anderson from a shoulder injury, Bryant led all scorers. Anderson scored only two points.

O'Neal twisted his left ankle and sat out the final four and a half minutes but said the injury would not sideline him for game four.

San Antonio's Tim Duncan struggled with 3-of-14 shooting for only nine points and 13 rebounds, with the Lakers dominating rebounds in the second half to seal the Spurs' fate.

The Spurs, led by David Robinson's 24 points, shot only 3-for-17 in the fourth quarter and just 32% for the game.

O'Neal, who feuded with Bryant earlier in the season, was motivated by the death on Tuesday of his cousin, Lawrence Webb, a firefighter killed in the line of duty.

"He was a real hero in my life," O'Neal said.

Whatever the spark, O'Neal sought the ball and his teammates were more than happy to provide him the scoring chances.

"He wanted it," Bryant said. "We knew he wanted to play."