Shooting Accuracy Takes a Dive

The first-round series is two games old and there’s still no sign of the Laker team that finished sixth in the league in shooting, just the one that’s 39.8% and thankful to have a 1-1 tie.

“I had hopes of winning both games here and then winning one down there in Houston,” Coach Del Harris said. “That’s what I had really envisioned. But let’s put it this way: If you’d have told me that our team after two games is going to be shooting 39% from the field and 72% from the line, I would have been happy at 1-1.”

Only two Lakers have made at least half of their field-goal attempts--Eddie Jones (53.3%) and Magic Johnson (50%). Among the six other regulars, Cedric Ceballos is at 43.8%, Nick Van Exel 24%, Vlade Divac 41.2%, Elden Campbell 46.7%, Anthony Peeler 27.3%, though in only one appearance, and Sedale Threatt has missed all eight of his shots.

Game 1 was a disaster with a season-low 34.9%. Game 2, at 44.6%, was encouraging.

“That’s not a bad playoff percentage against a championship team,” Harris said of Saturday’s showing. “That’s not too bad, although I think we can do better. And we shot 80% at the line.”

The Rockets are shooting 44.1% as a team. Robert Horry, their starting small forward, is three for 18.

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The Lakers had a light practice Sunday afternoon at the Forum before flying to Houston. They were scheduled to go two hours, then cut that short by about 45 minutes.

“The guys didn’t have much focus today, to tell you the truth,” Harris said.

Why? “We’re playing the same team. There’s obviously no need to make any major adjustments.”

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Johnson credited Bill Walton, the Hall of Fame center and TV analyst, with his improved play between Thursday and Saturday. Johnson said Walton told him he looked frustrated and reminded the Laker star to relax and have fun and play his game.

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Houston’s 11 points in the first quarter of Game 2 were a season-best for the Laker defense in any period.