Lakers Wake Up on Court : Pro basketball: They spend much of previous night on runway, but still beat Timberwolves, 98-78.

Six hours after the Lakers upset the Bulls, the glow still hadn’t faded.

It hadn’t faded because they were still awake, sitting in their chartered jet on an airport runway in Chicago. They didn’t take off until 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, arrived at their hotel here at 5:45 and only then got ready to play their fourth game in five nights.

Luckily for them, it was against the Timberwolves, who require only an opponent with a pulse, not a full night’s sleep, to be overmatched. Gratefully, the Lakers put together a crisp effort and romped, 98-78, to finish their trip 3-3.

“This raises an interesting question about this crazy game of ours,” Coach Randy Pfund said. “How could we play such an energized game?

“We’ve learned a lot of things on this road trip, but I can’t figure out what they are.”

The Lakers travel on one of MGM Grand’s luxury chartered jets, with lounges, staterooms, VCRs, and first-class seats, but it means nothing if the darn thing can’t fly. When the Lakers boarded late Tuesday night, they were informed the craft was experiencing mechanical problems.

Of course, they were told it would be fixed shortly.

An hour later, Pfund and captains James Worthy, Byron Scott and A.C. Green decided to go to a hotel. However, their jet had a prior commitment for Wednesday morning: ferrying the Clippers from Indianapolis to Detroit.

Faced with the ultimate horror--commercial air travel--the Lakers opted for Plan C, sitting it out until another MGM charter, which had just taken the Bulls to Cleveland, could return to Chicago for them.

Upon arrival, Pfund called off his 4 p.m. walk-through and everyone tried to sleep in.

“I went to bed about 6:30,” said Worthy, “and I woke up about 10. I don’t really sleep that late, especially if I’m out of my routine.

“I just tried to do a lot to get ready. I jogged in place in the dressing room. I told myself, ‘You’ve got a game to play, this is the occupation you chose.’ ”

However, the Timberwolves had also played the night before and were in a six-week funk besides.

Since Nov. 28, they were 2-13, with both victories against the Dallas Mavericks. Bob McCann, a 6-foot-7, 250-pound journeyman, became the starting center, ahead of the 7-0 1990-91 No. 1 picks, Luc Longley and Felton Spencer.

Guard Doug West said recently said he had teammates who were “brain-dead,” which was taken as a reference to rookie Christian Laettner. Coincidentally or not, in a game three days later, Laettner passed up West all alone at the other end of the floor, dribbled the ball the length of the floor and scored himself.

The Timberwolves came out pressing against the Lakers, but without conviction, organization or success. When the Lakers weren’t laying the ball in, they were passing it out to Vlade Divac, who hit two three-pointers in the first quarter and scored a fast 10 points.

Pfund, guarding against physical collapse, used 10 players by mid-second quarter.

“I thought we had a chance to build up a 10-point lead by halftime,” Pfund said, “but I thought it was more important to have Sam (Perkins) and Sedale and James get their rest.”

The 10-point lead came soon thereafter, followed by the 20-point lead.

The Lakers led, 50-43, at the half, then walked over their hosts in the third quarter, scoring on 11 of their first 13 possessions.

The fourth quarter was tedious but necessary.

Afterward, West was asked if things had improved since his “brain-dead” comment.

West said things were indeed better.

And his relationship with Laettner?

West said his relationship with Laettner was fine.

As for the Lakers, all’s well that ends well.

Laker Notes

Coach Randy Pfund, shocked by reports that he had blasted his team before the Bulls’ game, said he had only been forceful and didn’t remember cursing at all. “What bothers me about it,” Pfund said, “when I do want to do it, I have a whole arsenal but I didn’t think I’d used it.” . . . Since moving into the starting lineup as a full-time guard three games ago, for the first time in his career, A.C. Green has averaged 14 points and 13 rebounds. Said Green: “I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed it.”