Harris Defends Lackluster Loss

Although disappointed in Saturday’s loss at Minnesota, since it resulted in part from the Timberwolves out-working the Lakers, Coach Del Harris also defended his team in noting that it was a rare occurrence.

“We let a team play harder than us,” Harris said. “I don’t think it’s a pattern and I don’t think it’s going to happen again.

“We’ve played hard and well pretty much all year. This is the first game I can remember in a long time that I felt the other team played with more energy.”

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Corie Blount, forced out of the Minnesota game because of lower-back spasms, also missed practice Monday. He is day-to-day, with the Lakers’ next game Wednesday at Phoenix.

Blount is averaging only 9.9 minutes his last seven appearances but his availability against Phoenix could become a factor, since he is the only Laker taller than 6 feet 7 who would play small forward. The Suns could use Robert Horry and Danny Manning, both 6-10. A similar matchup problem hurt against 6-11 Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves.