Loss Seen as a Technical Glitch

The Lakers did not mourn the end of their five-game winning streak because they felt it fell in a barrage of bad calls by referees they believed were put on the spot by NBC’s obtrusive microphones.

For one, Ron Harper took a fourth-quarter technical foul because of an elbow he threw that did not actually draw Steve Smith, the intended target. Damon Stoudamire made the free throw that gave Portland a four-point lead.

During the subsequent timeout, assistant Tex Winter was assessed a technical foul for arguing the Harper technical foul.

“He didn’t berate the official,” Laker Coach Phil Jackson said. “He just said he had to look in the rule book.”

Stoudamire made that free throw as well, and the Trail Blazers took a 101-97 lead with 3:14 left.

The Lakers complained that in order for Harper to be called for the technical, he would have had to make contact. Not so.

According to rule 12, section VII d(6) of the NBA rules: “A technical foul shall be assessed for unsportsmanlike tactics such as a deliberately-thrown elbow or any attempted physical act with no contact involved.”

In the next 63 seconds, Shaquille O’Neal missed four consecutive free throws--Portland Coach Mike Dunleavy had Shaq hacked while the Trail Blazers were ahead--and the Lakers found themselves behind by six.

Asked if he would have at least liked to have made contact if it was going to cost him a point, Harper said, “I ain’t got nothing, uh, Merry Christmas to you all.”

Said Brian Shaw: “That was kind of touchy. I don’t like it when they mike the referees. It changes the interaction.”

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Ed Palubinskas, Shaq’s shot doctor, is still in town. He sat courtside in the first half with a camcorder, which he aimed at O’Neal during free throws.

A noted free-throw shooter while at Louisiana State and since in national competitions, Palubinskas said he has a confidentiality agreement in his contract with O’Neal and therefore declined comment.

O’Neal made his first three free throws and five of his first seven before missing six of his last seven. Undoubtedly, his form is freer and he appears more eager to get to the line.

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In what is becoming a favored tactic of Jackson’s, Shaw started the fourth quarter after sitting the first three. He played seven minutes and scored two points.

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Devean George said he expected to come off injured reserve following Thursday’s game in Phoenix, when he is eligible.

The Trail Blazers have won 11 consecutive games on Christmas Day. The Lakers had won each of three Christmas games before Monday’s loss.