They Just Didn’t Have the Magic

Sunday afternoon in Orlando became Tuesday night in Milwaukee, and the Lakers were still talking of their disappointment over not beating the Magic for Shaquille O’Neal. This was more contemplation than O’Neal himself seemed to show on the matter, brushing it off as just another loss despite the emotions that came with it, leaving it to others to continue the mourning.

“I think the guys are hurt,” Coach Del Harris said. “We all wanted to win that game for Shaq, let’s face it. That hurt to let it get away.”

Added Eddie Jones: “We wanted to win it for him. It was just very disappointing when we didn’t.”

*

Nick Van Exel is scheduled to go to Houston to get a second opinion on his troublesome right knee, an examination that will either take place later today or Thursday and perhaps then clear the way for his decision on whether to go ahead with an operation.

The Lakers’ physician, Steve Lombardo, on Monday recommended arthroscopic surgery after a second set of X-rays and MRIs came back negative, even as Van Exel continued to be bothered by a clicking. Procedures that simply help diagnose the problem usually mean about two weeks out for a player, and the time increases if it’s also used to clean out the joint or repair.

TONIGHT’S GAME

Los Angeles vs. Indiana

* 5 PST

* Channel 9, TBS

* Site--Market Square Arena.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 37-16, Pacers 38-16.

* Record vs. Pacers (1996-97)--1-1.

* Update--This figures to be the toughest stop on the six-game trip for the Lakers. The Pacers still appear likely to go far in the playoffs and had the added advantage of being off Tuesday night while the Lakers played at Milwaukee and traveled to Indianapolis.