Pfund Vows Changes After Yet Another Loss : Pro basketball: Scott will rejoin the starting lineup, Green might go to the bench after the Lakers fall to the SuperSonics, 111-101.

Still facing more questions than he can answer, Laker Coach Randy Pfund will see if restoring Byron Scott to the starting lineup and moving A.C. Green back to his natural forward position, and possibly the bench, will help restore the Lakers’ confidence.

Pfund was grim after the Lakers’ 111-101 loss to the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday, their fourth loss in their last five games and sixth in their last eight home contests. His decision wasn’t entirely based on Wednesday’s game, a debacle in which the SuperSonics outran the Lakers in the first quarter and held off a fourth-quarter comeback that momentarily entertained the Forum crowd of 14,114.

And he is not convinced he is making the right move.

But he has to try something as the Lakers begin a six-game, 10-day journey Friday at Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz. The changes will give him a quicker lineup, he hopes, and one that won’t be outgunned as it was Wednesday.

“Byron will go back in the starting lineup, and I’ll make a decision in the next two or three days on adjustments,” Pfund said. “Again, I’m not sure tonight cleared up a whole lot in terms of the rotation and where we go this way. (But) no question, our confidence has been shaken. There are times you don’t play well and you become frustrated, and that’s what our challenge is right now. We’ve got some guys who have lost confidence in what they can do, and that leads to frustration.”

Scott, who has struggled because of a painful right ankle, played 32 minutes Wednesday. Green played 40, and scored 13 points. Asked about the possibility of going back to the bench, he said: “If that is going to enhance our performance and get us victories, a victory, I’m all for it.”

That changes are called for is beyond doubt after the Lakers’ third loss to the SuperSonics this season and sixth in succession over two seasons.

A 26-4 Seattle blitz early in the first quarter took the Lakers out of the game before many in the crowd had settled into their seats. Four Laker turnovers in that span--and 13 in the first half--coupled with Seattle’s 63% shooting left the Lakers winded and at a 64-51 disadvantage at halftime.

Nothing they tried could stop the SuperSonics’ run. Seattle found openings with passing and created more openings with speed.

Pfund tried a timeout after the SuperSonics scored nine consecutive points to take an 11-4 lead, but Gary Payton negated that when he stole Sam Perkins’ pass to set up an 11-footer by Derrick McKey.

The SuperSonics cruised to a 28-8 lead with 5:05 to play in the first quarter, when Shawn Kemp made a jump shot for two of his 15 first-half points. The Lakers got no closer than 11 in the second quarter, as the good done by Sedale Threatt’s seven points was outweighed by eight more turnovers.

By making three of their first four shots of the third quarter, the Lakers pulled within seven and Seattle Coach George Karl called a timeout with 9:57 to play.

A 12-foot jump shot by Payton off an assist by Kemp gave Seattle a 66-57 cushion and, after three quarters, it became an 85-75 lead.

Increasing their intensity on defense got the Lakers back into the game in the fourth quarter. Two blocks by James Edwards and a shot from the left side by Sedale Threatt with 8:55 to play trimmed the Seattle lead to 87-83, but then the SuperSonics’ front line took over. Kemp finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds and Michael Cage had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

They were countered poorly by Vlade Divac, who played a season-low 13 minutes, scored only one point and had only four rebounds.

“We did make a run back in, but when you get down that many points that early, it takes a lot out of you,” Edwards said. “This trip will show how much character we have.”

Laker Notes

Anthony Peeler, who strained a muscle in his lower back Tuesday when he ran into a pick during practice, played 17 minutes, scoring 15 points. The injury came at a particularly bad time for Peeler, whose playing time had been declining in recent weeks while Coach Randy Pfund sorted out his options at guard.

“I was mad the first couple of times it happened,” Peeler said, “but I’ve got to stay focused and positive and work hard in practice so when I’m not playing, I can say I’m not doing anything. I’ve got to try to take a spot, so to speak.”

* BARKLEY FINED: Charles Barkley was fined $10,000 and suspended for a game for arguing with an official. C6.