Cold SuperSonics Just Can’t Keep Up With Lakers’ Jones

They broke out the once-familiar refrain Tuesday night at the Forum, where the chants of “Ed-die! Ed-die!” filled the air almost as much as Eddie Jones himself.

He made 10 of 14 shots, three on three-pointers and several others after driving to the basket and then taking flight, and finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and three steals. In general, he provided the crescendo to the Lakers’ 94-71 rout of Seattle before 17,505.

It’s a rendition that has been played out many times before, what with the Lakers’ nine victories in the last 12 regular-season and playoff games against the SuperSonics. Seattle is 15-2 against the Pacific Division this season--and both losses are against the Lakers.

The latest came as the SuperSonics labored to the second-lowest offensive output in franchise history, which coincided with the second-best defensive showing in L.A. Laker history.

Seattle shot 35.2% (25 of 71) as Gary Payton had 17 points and no one else more than 13.

“We sustained the energy and effort for 48 minutes tonight,” Laker Coach Del Harris said. “That, I think, was the best 48-minute performance we’ve had, and it wasn’t even close. Just the overall focus, especially on defense.”

Said his Seattle counterpart, George Karl: “It was about that time in the season when we needed a slap in the face.”

Jones--and the Lakers--obliged. His 26 points led all scorers and was only one off his season high, set Dec. 8 against the Toronto Raptors.

Jones came in averaging 11.9 points--although 14.3 the previous 10 games--then scored 14 in the first quarter alone. By halftime, he was already at 20 points on eight-of-10 shooting, including the three three-point baskets.

“We didn’t start off all that great,” he said. “When you don’t start out great, you try to do something extra to get the team going.”

The SuperSonics did manage to remove him as an offensive factor a few times those first 24 minutes, counting the time in the second quarter when Jones stood off to the side trying hurriedly to put his shoe back on as play continued. Cedric Ceballos ended up scoring for the Lakers instead.

It was all quite a contrast to past history, Jones having managed only 10.5 points and 35.6% from the field in the four regular-season meetings of 1994-95 and then 6.5 and 36.4% in the four playoff games after being benched in favor of Anthony Peeler. And now, he was starring.

“He was dynamite the first half,” Karl said. “He’s very athletic, he was shooting threes, and he has excellent quickness moving without the ball. Since Magic came back, he seems to be playing with as much confidence as anybody.”

Jones sparked the Lakers to a 50-40 lead at halftime. Joining Indiana and Dallas as the only teams to beat Seattle twice, they stretched that to 71-53 late in the third quarter, then, 77-58, heading into the fourth.

The SuperSonics never seriously threatened the rest of the way. Their chance at a recovery will have to wait until Thursday night at Seattle.

“It was an outstanding performance,” Harris said. “Basically, it was a defensive game, and I was very proud the way our team responded to the challenge.”

Laker Notes

Magic Johnson, beginning another quest to shake a lingering calf injury once and for all, played 33 minutes, ran the offense from both forward spots and finished with 14 points and 10 assists. Sunday against Orlando marked the third time he has left a game because of a strain or tightness below the knee in the right leg, although he did return against the Magic, again raising the notion that the effects of age and a long layoff will not allow him to stay healthy long term. “It’s not my age,” he said. “Any young guys would be the same. Anyone who’s been out 4 1/2 years, those things are bound to happen. . . . This is not a 36-year-old’s injury. What it is is a person who’s been out 4 1/2 years.” The latest setback prompted an MRI exam on Monday, and that confirmed that there was no serious damage to the calf. “I thought we had it [before],” Johnson said. “But I’m not concerned. Once the MRI showed everything is fine, it gave me the hope and confidence that I needed.”

Some Laker players were bothered that Coach Del Harris made such a public display of berating Vlade Divac on the sideline Sunday after Divac was called for a technical foul in the fourth quarter of a close game. Divac was also upset by the incident--”Wouldn’t you be?” he said--mainly because it came after a technical he said he didn’t deserve. Divac said the comment to veteran official Joe Forte came from a player standing behind him, but the Laker center got the whistle and was immediately pulled from the game by Harris, who then loudly chastised him in front of the bench. Asked if that bothered him, Divac said: “In some ways. But it was one night. I’m fine now.”

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Magic Marker

Tracking Magic Johnson’s comeback

TUESDAY’S GAME

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Min. FG FT Pts. Reb. Ast. 34 4-6 (.667) 5-5 (1.000) 14 5 10

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SEASON AVERAGES

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Min. FG% FT% Pts. Reb. Ast. 27.2 .484 .827 14.0 5.6 7.0

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CAREER AVERAGES

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Min. FG% FT% Pts. Reb. Ast. 36.9 .521 .848 19.7 7.3 11.4

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Career averages before comeback

RECORD

LAKERS BEFORE MAGIC: 24-18 (.571)

LAKERS WITH MAGIC: 17-5 (.773)