Horry Gets Mixed Minutes

Robert Horry, who started 71 games for the Lakers last season, has been on a yo-yo since the Lakers acquired forwards Dennis Rodman and Glen Rice, especially in five games since Rice’s move into the starting lineup March 16.

Horry sat out the entire Minnesota and Dallas games, but averaged 16 minutes coming off the bench against Cleveland, Philadelphia and Orlando.

“I know if I’m not in by the first half, I probably won’t play,” Horry said recently. “So you just sit there and go through the game and try to keep telling players what’s happening, what’s not happening. . . . I’m fine with it, especially the way my knees are feeling. . . .

“Everybody can’t be a chief; you’ve got to have some Indians, you know? And I don’t mind being an Indian. I’ve been an Indian all my life since I left high school.”

Coach Kurt Rambis has asked Horry, one of the Lakers’ more keen basketball minds, to confer with him or other players on the sidelines during games.

“I talk more to the people who will listen,” Horry said. “This is not like big issues. I tell them to watch this and watch that.”

TONIGHT vs. Phoenix

7:30, Fox Sports West

* Site--Great Western Forum.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 19-9, Suns 13-13.

* Record vs. Suns--2-0.

* Update--The Suns have a better road record (7-6) than at home and are getting superb play from point guard Jason Kidd, who has five triple-doubles this season. The Suns are 11-0 when Kidd has a triple-double.

* Tickets--Sold out.