They Ran Confidence Game

Friday night was for the series lead, and for just in case.

Just in case losing three of four to a team in the regular season really does make a difference in the playoffs. Just in case the Lakers were really wondering, despite their pronouncements of confidence.

“This first one was real important,” Nick Van Exel said in the wake of their 95-77 victory over Portland in Game 1 at the Forum, immediately turning the momentum in a matchup that had previously gone the Trail Blazers’ way.

“This team beat us in the regular season, but we can play with this team. I don’t think we’ve played our best ball against them.

“We like that they came in here overconfident and thinking they can do whatever they want to. It gives us more fuel.

“We wanted to let them know that the regular season is just the regular season. And it’s playoff time now.”

Added Coach Del Harris, still not wanting to attach too much importance to the contrast of then and now: “It doesn’t hurt. I think the biggest thing is that we know we’re up, 1-0, and know we have the chance for 2-0. But nobody can just erase the past like that, so it’s a factor.”

The Lakers, in fact, were finding emotional lifts everywhere.

They outrebounded the Trail Blazers, a significant accomplishment that came with Jerome Kersey grabbing 10 off the bench to offset Elden Campbell managing only three.

And they won despite getting a limited offensive contribution from three starters: Robert Horry, Eddie Jones and Van Exel.

“They played well and got all the breaks,” Portland guard Kenny Anderson said.

“Everything fell into their laps.”

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Shaquille O’Neal has boasted, with a smile, “I’ll be the first player to sit out 30 games and still be MVP,” but in truth he has little chance to get anything more than some fifth-place votes, if that. But other possibilities remain.

“He could shoot for MVP of the playoffs,” Harris said.

Because that would mean the Lakers will have gone far, maybe even all the way.

“It never goes to anybody that gets beat in the second round, let’s put it that way,” Harris said.

Then he smiled.

*

Eddie Jones, No. 1 in the league in steals for much of the first half of the season and when O’Neal was injured, ended at No. 4, behind Mookie Blaylock, former Laker Doug Christie and Gary Payton.

“I’m not really too concerned about it anymore,” said Jones, who at one time was disappointed by the drop.

“I should have been No. 1, but that’s over. It’s a new season.”

Still, Jones’ average of 2.36 steals a game is the best by a Laker since Magic Johnson in 1981-82.

It also means he has finished sixth, eighth and fourth in the NBA in his first three seasons.

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LAKERS vs. BLAZERS

THE SERIES

* Game 1: Lakers, 95-77

* Game 2: Today at Forum, noon

* Game 3: Wednesday at Portland, 7:30

* Game 4: Friday at Portland, TBA*

* Game 5: May 4 at Forum, TBA*

* if necessary