LAKERS TONIGHT

Opponent--Miami Heat.

Site--Miami Arena.

Time--4:30 PST.

TV--Channel 9 (delayed, 6 p.m.).

Radio--KLAC (570) (delayed, 6 p.m.).

Records--Lakers 45-21, Heat 49-17.

Record vs. Heat--1-0.

Laker update--They appear to be taking Portland’s best shot and surviving. The Trail Blazers have won 11 games in a row but have been unable to make a serious run at challenging the Lakers or Rockets for homecourt advantage in the first round. Helped by winning six of their last eight, the Lakers have a magic number of 10, almost certainly against Portland, to guarantee finishing no worse than No. 4 in the West. And No. 3 is a real possibility, a huge place in the standings because it means the difference between opening against the Trail Blazers or Minnesota Timberwolves.

Heat update--Alonzo Mourning, out the last 12 games because of a torn tendon in his foot, has returned to practice and figures to be activated in the middle of next week. The Heat has gone 8-4 in that time, with Isaac Austin starting at center and producing far beyond expectations. This is the first time Miami has clinched a playoff spot before the last week of the season.