Jackson Still Weighing Options

Laker Coach Phil Jackson says that he’s still mixing and matching his players, trying to find combinations that work, especially on defense.

At Tuesday’s practice, for instance, Jackson said he worked rookie Devean George into the guard rotation and Travis Knight some at small forward.

Though he has a reputation for giving rookies sparse action, Jackson has played rookie guard John Celestand 38 minutes in the last three games, and George has averaged almost 10 minutes a game.

“You play who you have to play that bring what you need to the game,” Jackson said. “And we need some energy defensively.

“Right now, we’re a pretty lethargic team on the defensive end.”

Jackson also said that the lineup changes he is considering--one at power forward--will not be made tonight against the Utah Jazz, since he wants A.C. Green to match up against Karl Malone.

“We’re just looking at how we’re matched up against teams, probably just who we’re playing against more or less rather than what we’re doing,” Jackson said.

“[Lineup changes will] be more likely with New Jersey [on Friday] and stuff like that.”

*

The Lakers flatly denied a claim by Cedric Ceballos, former Laker and current Dallas Maverick, that his unexplained disappearance during the 1995-96 season--which Ceballos now says was to settle a private family matter--was privately condoned by Laker management.

Ceballos said he and the Lakers purposely misled the public about the reasons behind his four-day absence.

“If he’s saying he lied about it back then, he lied to us as well,” Laker spokesman John Black said. “This is the first we’ve heard of it.”

TONIGHT

vs. Utah, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 8-4, Jazz 7-4.

* Record vs. Jazz--1-0.

* Update--Karl Malone, who struggled in the Lakers’ season-opening victory at Salt Lake City, has warmed up considerably, averaging 37 points and nine rebounds in consecutive games against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers, who lost to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, have not lost two in a row this season.

* Tickets--(213) 480-3232.