A Good Scream Makes It Better

Laker Coach Kurt Rambis said all he did was explain the team’s dire straits, and state that the defense exhibited so far was the kind that would not be tolerated.

Shaquille O’Neal described it with slightly more flavor.

“We came in here and just jumped down each other’s throats,” O’Neal said of the halftime scene after the Lakers trailed, 63-43.

“I think when we have that kind of camaraderie on this team, where we can yell at each other and nobody will take it personal, it’s good. . . . Kurt got on Kobe [Bryant], Kobe on me, Ruben [Patterson] got on me. The rookie told us we needed to play harder.”

Said Rambis: “Just another game where we were passive. We don’t play well that way.”

*

Forward J.R. Reid, acquired Feb. 20 from Charlotte, did not play because of a sore left knee, perhaps opening the way for the activation of guard Tyronn Lue from the injured list.

TONIGHT

vs. Dallas, 5:30 PST

Ch. 9 (delayed until 6:30)

* Site--Reunion Arena.

* Radio--KLAC (570 AM).

* Records--Lakers 18-9; Mavericks 9-17.

* Record vs. Mavericks--1-0.

* Update--The Lakers can finish this nine-day trip with a 3-3 mark with a victory against Dallas.