LAKER WATCH : Peeler Feels 90% After Early Return

From three quarters of struggles to playing a major role in the Laker victory. So much for the return from a strained calf muscle being the only impressive recovery Saturday afternoon for Anthony Peeler.

Peeler was given little chance in previous days of playing in Game 2 by a medical staff that estimated it would probably take one to three weeks to heal the injury he had suffered last Sunday in the regular-season finale. Then, as a model patient who showed up early for treatments and stayed late, he started making significant progress.

By Friday, he was being called a game-time decision. By the first quarter Saturday, he was in.

The backup shooting guard, whose play in recent weeks had provided a huge spark, missed five of six shots the first three quarters. But with the game on the line--and probably the season since a loss would have given the Lakers an 0-2 deficit in the best-of-five series--Peeler scored nine of his 12 points in the fourth period.

“I was kind of nervous at first, not knowing if I could put a lot of pressure on the leg when I wanted on the jump shots,” he said after the Lakers’ 104-94 victory at the Forum. “But the guys on this team have been giving me confidence all year long. Earvin [Johnson] just kept saying, ‘Shoot it.’ ”

Peeler finished three of 11 from the field and four of four from the line, but the most important number next to the scoring was 90. As in, about 90% healthy with two days of rest ahead before Game 3 Tuesday night in Houston.

“But it’s nothing to complain about,” he said of the soreness. “It’s a pain you can take care of yourself.”

Jones’ Game Takes Off Against Rockets

The Rockets can’t keep up with the Joneses.

Actually, there’s one in particular giving them trouble. Eddie Jones.

The Lakers’ starting shooting guard averaged 15.8 points and 5.5 rebounds while making 51.1% of his attempts against Houston in four regular-season meetings, all numbers that surpass his league-wide averages. Then he had 19 points in Game 1 and followed that with 20 points and a career-high 11 rebounds Saturday in 45 minutes, 11 more than any teammate.

“He made some great shots,” Rocket Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. “He’s a new-era star in this league.”

Added Houston guard Sam Cassell: “He’s playing good. He’s making big shots. I’m a big Eddie Jones fan.”

Drexler Struggling With Ankle Injury

Houston’s Clyde Drexler played in pain, having twisted an ankle Thursday. Early in Game 2, he told teammate Hakeem Olajuwon: “I can’t push off on that foot.”

That much became obvious when he didn’t get the ball over the front of the rim on one attempted dunk. After scoring 13 points in the first quarter of Game 1, Drexler has only scored 21 points in the seven periods since.