LAKER WATCH : It Wasn’t Quite Enough, but Threatt Got Hot to Give Lakers a Real Shot

The Houston Rockets had a five-point lead heading into the fourth quarter Tuesday night at the Summit, then Laker Coach Del Harris decided to open the period with Sedale Threatt at point guard, a curious choice considering Threatt was playing with a bad case of freezer burn after having missed all 11 previous shots in the series, including seven three-point tries.

So guess who delivered?

Less than two minutes in, Threatt cut down the lane and took a pass from Johnson for a layin and his first points in 2 3/4 games. That was followed by a three-point basket with one second left on the shot clock, then a jumper after bumping defender Sam Cassell to create some breathing room, and, finally, another three-point basket.

“They were definitely stunned,” Threatt said of the Rocket defenders. “They didn’t know what to do with me at that time.

“I was in a zone and they knew it.”

Finally.

Threatt played only 12 minutes, but had 10 points. All came within the first 3:38 of the fourth quarter.

Playoff Time Still Special for Magic

Turns out Magic Johnson uses the blunt get-out-my-way approach more than just with teammates when he wants to take over a game.

Knowing that his mood would become even more intense when the playoffs started, he sent a memo to all employees of Magic Johnson Enterprises before the final weekend of the regular season warning them not to call him at home, barring an emergency, or ask him small-talk questions in the office.

“They caught on quick when somebody called me and I snapped their head off,” Johnson said.

Just to make sure there would be no unwanted calls, he changed his home number, renewing the tradition for when he’s playing at this time of the year. The new listing becomes something of a state secret--save for close family members and friends--until the end of the season.

“I’m excited about being back [in the playoffs],” Johnson said. “I like being moody, crazy. I like being in this mode. Cookie [his wife] doesn’t much enjoy it, but I like it. She told me the week before, ‘Oh, boy. It’s coming. I can see you changing.’ ”

And now that he’s part of the postseason again?

“It’s definitely all I thought it would be, and more.”

Drexler Shows Some of His Old Stuff

Clyde was the Glide, again.

After struggling for long stretches of the previous two games, Rocket guard Clyde Drexler showed no effects of the sprained ankle that had previously limited his play. He finished with 16 points, a team-high 11 assists, seven rebounds and three steals.

“He had some great explosive moves across the middle,” Rocket Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. “And the passing. Great players in this league, they send double-teams at them. But he found the open man. You don’t often see shooting guards with 11 assists.”

Rockets Keep Their Hands on the Ball

The Rockets set a franchise record for fewest turnovers in a playoff game with five. That’s three better than the old mark, set May 13, 1994. The Lakers committed only nine turnovers. . . . Only 27 players in NBA history have won three consecutive NBA championships. The Rockets have five trying to join the list: Cassell, Mario Elie, Robert Horry, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kenny Smith. . . . A week and a day after being fired as coach of the Toronto Raptors, Brendan Malone scouted the game for the Seattle SuperSonics. The winner of the Laker-Rocket series plays the winner from Seattle-Sacramento. Kurt Rambis is following the King-SuperSonic matchup for the Lakers. . . . Elden Campbell had more blocked shots (212) than NBA career leader Olajuwon (207) this season, but ranked behind the Rocket star in the league leaders because Olajuwon played in only 72 games and Campbell started all 82 games for the Lakers. The Rockets were outrebounded by all four playoff teams they faced last season, and the Lakers have a 105-78 advantage in this series.