Jackson Praises Horry, Bryant

Coach Phil Jackson pointed to Robert Horry and Kobe Bryant as the two players who have lifted their game the most during the team’s recent success, and added that he still likes the idea of Horry coming off the bench and splitting time with A.C. Green at power forward.

“Basically, good teams have starters coming off the bench or players that are equal to their starters, or a player that is a starter that’s willing to take that reserve role and play off the bench,” Jackson said before Sunday’s game.

“That makes teams very good and changes up what they do on the floor, gives them a little more tenacity or speed or outside shooting or whatever, a lot of things which Robert does do for us.”

During the team’s winning streak, Horry has made more than 51% of his shots, and over the last few weeks has averaged more than 25 minutes.

Green, meanwhile, has started every game, though he played fewer than 24 minutes in his last nine games, including Sunday’s win over Sacramento.

“Most teams want to go post-up early in the game and do a lot of post-up offensive things, try to get you in foul trouble,” Jackson said. “A.C.’s a great post-up player and he has great leverage stuff going on down there.”

“[At 36], I think it benefits him to be able to come right off a warmup and go out and play.”

at Denver, 6 PST

Channel 9

* Site--Pepsi Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 52-11, Nuggets 26-36.

* Record vs. Nuggets--2-1.

* Update--Denver has lost its last five in a row, but is 20-12 at home, including a 93-82 bouncing of the Lakers on Nov. 18.