Horry’s Game Is Taking Shape

Robert Horry’s knees are feeling better, Laker Coach Phil Jackson is feeling more confident about keeping him on the floor longer and--no coincidence--Horry’s production is going up.

After seeing sporadic minutes in his first eight games back from the injured list, Horry has played his best basketball in the Lakers’ last three games, averaging 23.3 minutes and 6.7 rebounds and playing active defense.

“I’m feeling a whole lot healthier,” Horry said after practice Saturday. “I think everybody’s getting into a comfort zone. I think that’s the most important thing. . . . When you get comfortable, players play better.

“Sometimes when you don’t really know what’s going on, you’re kind of walking on eggshells. Right now, speaking for myself, I feel a lot more comfortable.”

*

Jackson kept mum on the decision whether to put Kobe Bryant into the starting lineup tonight against Orlando.

“You know, physically and condition-wise, he’s probably there,” Jackson said, adding that it was best strategically to keep the Magic guessing about when Bryant would get into the game.

In two games since returning from the injured list, Bryant has averaged 32 minutes off the bench.

TONIGHT

vs. Orlando

6:30, Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 13-4, Magic 9-8.

* Record vs. Magic (1999)--1-0.

* Update--Orlando, which completely reworked its roster in the off-season, is young, has no marquee names, but has been a surprise so far, hustling to a 6-4 road record. Only point guard Darrell Armstrong remains from the Magic team Shaquille O’Neal left in 1996. “They have a good young energetic team--we have to be on our toes tomorrow,” O’Neal said.

Tickets--(213) 480-3232.