Harris Working on Playoff Lineup

The decision Tuesday by Coach Del Harris to return Robert Horry and Elden Campbell to starting roles wasn’t simply another in a series of lineup moves prompted by injuries. It was his first move for the playoffs.

This was Horry’s fourth game back after sitting out 21 because of the sprained knee ligament, making it something of an accelerated reinstatement, especially since the first outing was limited to 20 minutes and Jerome Kersey had been playing well at small forward. But the other timetable was just as prominent--the one that shows the Lakers with only a handful of games to get their lineup set for the postseason.

“I think he’s ready,” Harris said before the game at Golden State. “He played 36 minutes the last game. There’s no reason to take Jerome out. He’s been playing terrific ball. But since we’re down to our last seven games, I’m looking for that [getting into a set lineup].

“Another thing in Robert’s case is that he’s only started seven games with us. I’d like to get him back into the flow.”

Ditto Shaquille O’Neal. So when he comes back, possibly as soon as Friday, it’s possible Harris will put him right back in the starting lineup, as long as O’Neal doesn’t have time restrictions at the outset.

“Yeah, I could see that,” Harris said. “Not that I’m sure it will happen. . . . But by waiting this long, we’re expecting there to be no time limits.”

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It was a flagrant-foul forearm by Shawn Kemp into the chest of an airborne Campbell that sent the Laker big man crashing hard to the court, causing a bruised buttock and three games on the sideline. But Campbell said he doesn’t hold any ill feelings. “He apologized, so I left it at that.” . . . Harris, on the offensive precision of tonight’s opponent, the Utah Jazz: “They execute better than an 18th-century hangman.”