The Sonics turned convention on its head by becoming the only team to sweep the Lakers in four games last season. And after the NBA's superman, also known as Shaquille O'Neal, was ejected late in the first quarter last night, it seemed that Seattle's quirky streak would last for another day.

When O'Neal headed for the locker room wearing a scowl, the score was tied 17-17 with fans cheering what they felt would be a promising turn of events.

But the Lakers transformed into a perimeter team, led by Kobe Bryant, to easily snap its streak against Seattle with a 107-92 victory.

After not scoring in the first half, Lindsey Hunter scored 12 points in the third quarter, which ended with the Lakers up 81-66.

In the first half, the Lakers still had the other half of the superstar duo, Bryant. The Lakers swingman had struggled in three games against the Sonics last season. Much of the credit was given to Ruben Patterson, who has since departed for Portland.

Last night, Bryant ended his personal drought in the first quarter alone by scoring 17 points (on 6-for-11 shooting) to give the Lakers a 50-43 lead. Bryant finished watching the rout from the bench with 30 points.