Team Seeks Reversal Against Rockets

Only two teams have defeated the Lakers multiple times this season--the Portland Trail Blazers, who probably will make a run at the NBA championship, and today’s opponent, the Houston Rockets, who probably will not.

This contrast has not been lost on the Lakers, who can explain the first defeat to the Rockets by pointing to Shaquille O’Neal’s absence because of suspension.

The second loss, on Jan. 30 at Compaq Center, does not have such an easy explanation.

“The last game was probably the most pathetic we’ve played all year, to be honest,” Coach Phil Jackson said Saturday.

“It was a game in which our energy was poor, our shooting was awful, our finish was marred by a turnover at the end of the game . . . [a game] in which we had an opportunity to do some things and we just didn’t finish that game well at all, against a team I thought that was very susceptible.”

There is no chance of the Lakers, winners of 10 in a row, being flat for this one, Kobe Bryant said, as they head toward Tuesday’s big matchup in Portland.

“We’re not even thinking about it . . . because Houston plays us tough,” Bryant said.

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Jackson said that Travis Knight played 13 minutes Friday night against Boston (only the fifth time this season he has gotten 10 minutes or more) because Knight, a former Celtic, was familiar with the style of play and because O’Neal looked as though he needed rest.

While Jackson did not indicate if Knight has earned more time, he praised Knight’s recent play.

“There’s no doubt about the fact that I think he’s playing real well,” Jackson said.

Said Knight: “Phil’s a smart coach, and he knows what I can do, he knows what I can’t do . . . I think if there’s a situation that arises he can use me, he’ll use me.

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Even after receiving a massage, Bryant said his left calf was stiff on Saturday after getting kicked by a Celtic player in the fourth quarter, which comes after a sprained right finger earlier this month and a broken bone in his right hand that forced him to miss the first 15 games.

“As long as there’s no broken bones and I can play,” Bryant said, “I’m fine.”

TODAY

vs. Houston Rockets

2:30

* Site--Staples Center.

* TV--NBC.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 44-11; Rockets 21-34.

* 1999-2000 record vs. Rockets--1-2.

* Update--Rocket guards Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Bryce Drew torched the Lakers on Jan. 30 with repeated drives into the middle on screen-roll plays. Houston has lost its last four, but two of those were to San Antonio and one at Charlotte.

* Tickets--Sold out.