Lakers Still Look Like the Best in West by Beating Jazz, 119-103

James Patrick Riley, only 5 years old but already well-versed in media manipulation, stood beside his father after the Lakers’ 119-103 victory over the Utah Jazz Sunday at the Forum and was asked whether the race for the Western Conference’s best record had been decided.

The little Riley shook his head then buried his face behind his father’s leg.

The Lakers were not preparing acceptance speeches for earning the home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs, even though that now seems inevitable. Victories over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night and the Jazz on Sunday have put the Lakers (54-17) four games ahead in the loss column with 11 to play.

Of course, the Lakers’ sights are set on the NBA’s best record. After Sunday’s easy victory, in which they made 61% of their shots and outrebounded the Jazz by 12, the Lakers are two games in front of the Detroit Pistons in the loss column.

“It’s not over,” the bigger Riley said. “It’s up to us. If we can get through this week coming up, if we can win those (road games) against Phoenix and Denver, then we’ll be in good shape. Because, you know, we’re still pointing at the league’s best record.”

If the Lakers play as efficiently and as inspired as they did Sunday, the league’s best record heading into the playoffs will be assured. They got 33 points and 13 assists from Magic Johnson, 25 points from Byron Scott, 23 from James Worthy and, perhaps most important, center Mychal Thompson’s 12 points, 11 rebounds and an effective defensive effort against forward Karl Malone.

Despite the impressive victory, the Lakers refused to talk about clinching the West.

“Unless we just give it away ourselves, unless we go in the tank, and I don’t think it’ll happen,” said Johnson, when asked about the prospect of finishing with the best record. “But I’m saying it could happen if we don’t come out ready to play. We can’t afford a mental lapse right now. Portland, Utah and Detroit are on our tail.”

The Lakers have won three in a row since their 19-point loss at Portland Tuesday night. They rebounded from that spanking by holding off the Clippers without Johnson, then beating the Trail Blazers by 29 points on Friday night and Utah by 16.

Although the Lakers still have road games at Phoenix and Denver this week, at Utah on April 12 and at Portland on April 22, they emerged from their most difficult week in fine shape.

Sunday’s victory may not have been as statistically dominating as the victory over Portland, but the Lakers took control at the start and did not let up.

They held Utah to eight rebounds in the first half, tying the Jazz’s all-time low for a half. Thompson draped himself over Malone and held him to seven first-half points. Conversely, the Lakers shot 62.5% and had 18 rebounds en route to a 15-point first-half lead.

Utah, which has lost two consecutive games, made the expected second-half comeback. Malone finished with 25 points, six below his season average, and John Stockton had 15 points and 15 assists. But the Lakers maintained at least a 10-point lead throughout the second half. “We’re trying to get prepared for the playoffs,” Johnson said. “This was a big week. We had to make some statements against some of the best teams in the West. Our problem is that we’ve been relatively consistent all year, but we haven’t played really well for long periods of time. That’s what we’re trying to do now.”

There were few flaws in the Lakers’ game on Sunday. Scott, who made 10 of 14 shots, was hot from the perimeter. Worthy, who made 10 of 16 shots, was effective inside. Johnson ran the offense with his customary expertise, even though still he was slightly hobbled by a sprained right ankle.

But Thompson’s play, especially his first-half defense against Malone, was a deciding factor.

“He is vital to us,” Riley said of Thompson. “I thought the other night against (Portland’s Kevin) Duckworth and today against Malone in the first half showed what Mychal can do. He’s our best defender in the post.”

Malone scored 12 points in the third quarter, many coming when Thompson was on the bench. But Thompson tried to match strength with Malone and keep him from dominating inside. Malone opened the game by making two outside jump shots and two free throws, but Thompson was waiting for him when he ventured inside. With 4:30 left in the first half, Malone rebounded Delaney Rudd’s errant jump shot and Thompson blocked Malone’s follow shot. Malone appeared surprised; that usually does not happen to him.

Thompson also outrebounded Malone, 11-6, and the Laker center made six of seven shots. Many of Thompson’s baskets came on strong inside rushes or dunks on passes from Johnson. Johnson said he had told Thompson to stop using finesse inside.

“I get so mad at him because he normally doesn’t do what he did today,” Johnson said, smiling. “He dunked it today, rather than missing those two- or three-footers. I’m not really mad at him, but, you know, I just wanted to tell him to dunk it. “Mychal doesn’t get the credit for what he does. He sets the best picks to let guys get open of anyone on the team. He and A.C. (Green) and Vlade (Divac) have to do all the dirty work, like today against Karl.”

The Jazz (50-21) seems more concerned with holding off San Antonio for the Midwest Division title. The Spurs are two games behind. But Utah still harbors hope of catching the Lakers. “Anything can happen,” Stockton said. “We haven’t given up yet.”

Malone, however, gave as close to a concession speech as anyone on either team.

“I’m sure everybody would like the home-court advantage, but when you lose one home game in the playoffs, you lose the advantage, anyway,” Malone said. “We’ve proven we can beat (the Lakers) here before. It’s going to be tough wherever you play. This is going to be the toughest playoff race ever in the Western Conference.”

Laker Notes

James Worthy said his lower back spasms, which forced him to miss a recent game, have subsided. “It’s a lot better,” Worthy said. “Now, it’s just been reduced to a sore back.” . . . Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan was impressed with the Laker defense. “It was the best defensive performance I’ve ever seen from them,” Sloan siad. “They went after us right at the start. They outworked us on rebounding. They were pushing and shoving us around. They got the momentum from the defensive play on the court.” . . . The Lakers do not play again until Thursday night against Sacramento at the Forum.