Officially, Lakers Lose, 98-97

Del Harris, for what is believed to be the first time in his three seasons as Laker coach, refused to speak to the media after a game in which he did not get ejected. Elden Campbell hung a Do Not Disturb sign in his locker. The quiet said it all.

Just in case it didn’t, Nick Van Exel said the rest.

Not exactly on the good side of referees to begin with, the team captain and point guard took a verbal shot at the officials this time, putting the Lakers’ 98-97 loss to the Miami Heat at their feet and almost certainly setting himself up for a fine from the league office.

Van Exel was not alone in his sentiments--respected veteran Byron Scott said that “Me, personally, I feel it was taken,” it being the game and the trio of Tommy Nunez, Ronnie Nunn and Tommie Wood the accused thieves before 15,200 witnesses in the stands in Miami Arena.

Van Exel was, however, far more severe in his assessment that a non-call on a shot by Elden Campbell with about three minutes left dramatically altered the course of the game to change a six-point Laker lead into a Heat victory.

“That’s a tough call,” Van Exel said. “But bad refs make bad calls. You expect those calls from refs like that.”

Someone asked him if he thought it was a hometown call.

“More like a betting call,” Van Exel continued. “If the FBI wants to investigate Fresno State [for allegations of point shaving], then they should investigate those three refs.

“Nunez and Ronnie Nunn. Well, we expect that from Ronnie Nunn. He [messes with] us every time. But Nunez, his call. Well, the non-call. That was the worst non-call I’ve ever seen.”

And he told them so after the Heat had gotten the winning points on another disputed call against Campbell, a loose-ball foul that nullified a successful tip-in and instead sent Miami’s Willie Anderson to the line for the two free throws that became the margin of victory with 17.4 seconds left.

But Van Exel had company: Harris went out near midcourt to yell at the referees, pointing his finger at Nunez in particular. All the Lakers were furious.

Only after Van Exel, who had been suspended and fined late last season for shoving a referee, grabbed Harris by the arm did the coach stop his approach. Harris stayed in the trainer’s room afterward, his silence speaking loudly because it was such a rare move.

Campbell was only slightly more forthcoming--when asked what he thought about the calls, he picked up a sign usually reserved for hotel door knobs, but apparently always in tow, and hung it on a hook high on the locker stall.

PRIVACY PLEASE

He wanted to be left alone, even more than usual. It was Campbell who had another big game--24 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks--and Campbell who became the pivotal character in both plays that determined the outcome of the game. Both on offense, both within feet of the basket.

The first was the one that infuriated the Lakers the most, even if the most damage it did was to halt their momentum.

With a 93-87 lead and three minutes left, Campbell got the ball on the left side, went to the basket, saw two Heat defenders converge, missed the shot and insisted he was fouled.

So did Van Exel, stomping his feet.

So did Harris, going out to midcourt, but staying on the sidelines.

Nunez called a technical foul on Campbell with 2:50 remaining, and Tim Hardaway made the free throw. Getting the ball right back, Hardaway made a straight-away three-point basket. Suddenly, the Laker lead was only 93-91.

They still had a 97-96 lead and the ball with 36 seconds left. Not just the ball, but Van Exel at the line after an illegal defense call with the assurance of a possession to follow.

Then he missed the free throw, a lost opportunity on a night otherwise filled with the success of 20 points, 11 assists and six rebounds.

There was still the chance to put the Heat in a corner. When Jerome Kersey’s 12-footer from the right side bounced off the rim, Campbell came in from the left side for the tip.

The Lakers momentarily celebrated, until they realized the officials’ ruling: Campbell had fouled Anderson going for the rebound.

Two free throws later, and after Van Exel’s shot in the final seconds under defensive pressure went astray, Miami had the emotional victory and Coach Pat Riley had his 14th 50-win season in 15 tries.

The Lakers had simply had enough.

“There were a few things we didn’t do down the stretch that had to do with it,” Eddie Jones said. “But other things had to do with it.”