Jackson Praises Work by Horry

Who could be the biggest difference-maker on the Lakers?

If you ask Coach Phil Jackson, especially after another long and solid outing, it’s backup forward Robert Horry, who can give the Lakers rebounding, defense and maybe, someday, some offense where they most need it.

“Robert’s playing great,” Jackson said after the Lakers’ 95-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. “I’ve told him that there’s a chance that he could make us a great team or we’ll just be a good team without him playing the way he can play.

“And he’s just elevated himself into a position where we get stronger with him coming off the bench and into the game.”

Horry played 25 minutes on Thursday, again splitting the power-forward spot with A.C. Green, and grabbed six rebounds, blocked a shot and scored four points.

Green and Horry combined for 15 rebounds and 12 points.

“He’s yet to really take an active role and desire to score,” Jackson said, “but the rest of his game, the rebounding, the passing, the blocked shot sequences . . . [there are] just multiple things he’s helping us with.”

TONIGHT

at Minnesota 5

Channel 9, TNT

* Site--Target Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 19-5, Timberwolves 7-12.

* Record vs. Timberwolves (1999)--2-1.

* Update--Minnesota, thought to be an up-and-comer this season, so far is 0 for December, having dropped seven games in a row, the Timberwolves’ longest losing streak since 1994. Kevin Garnett has been their only consistent player, averaging 21.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists.