From the Line, They’re Still Weak

The near loss Friday was not lost on Coach Del Harris. So when the Lakers convened for practice Saturday, the bulk of the time for the bulk of the players, about 45 minutes in all, was devoted to shooting free throws.

The 55% showing in the overtime win against the Clippers--22 for 40, including two for seven in the fourth quarter and zero for three in the final 1:15 of regulation--was the biggest reminder this season of what remains a Laker weakness from 1996-97.

“It’s been a while since we struggled like that at the free-throw line,” said Eddie Jones, who made four of five. “Maybe we’ve just got to get in and shoot them more.”

Saturday, they did.

The Lakers finished last in the league last season and were 22nd heading into the Clipper game. That gain, however, is in part because other teams have gotten worse. The Lakers’ improvement by percent is marginal, 69.2% to 69.9%.

TONIGHT

vs.

Boston

* 6:30

* Fox Sports

West

Site--Forum.

Radio--KLAC (570), KWKW (1330).

Records--Lakers 22-6, Celtics 13-13.

Record vs. Celtics--1-0.

Update--The Lakers should benefit from already having faced the Celtics’ traps and presses, the spearhead of the defense that forces the most turnovers in the league. It bothered the Lakers for the first half Nov. 26 in Boston before they adjusted after halftime and went on to a 15-point victory. Travis Knight, usually the Celtics’ starting center, played 14 minutes in a reserve role Friday at San Antonio in his first action since coming off the injured list. Tonight marks his return to the Forum after being lured away from the Lakers with a lucrative free-agent deal.