LAKERS NOTES

J.R. Reid did not score a point, but he made a major physical impact in the Lakers’ series-clinching victory.

Reid wrestled with Charles Barkley, mostly without the help of immediate double-teams, for 36 blue-collar minutes, holding Barkley to only 20 points and nine rebounds, after Barkley went for 30 and 23 in Game 3.

Also, Reid knocked Scottie Pippen hard to the floor on a Pippen drive early in the third quarter. After the foul, Pippen, whose back slammed to the hardwood, lay on the court for several minutes in pain.

The Compaq Center crowd was hollering for blood and Reid was screaming back.

“I think playoff basketball is physical basketball,” Rick Fox said. “I’m sure Scottie has had that happen to him before. There was no intention to hurt anyone. But there’s ‘no layup’ rules, and they know that.”