NOTES

After two warmup playoff rounds, the Portland Trail Blazers finally get their wish of playing the Lakers.

“I guess this is the much-anticipated matchup,” said Portland Coach Mike Dunleavy, who coached the Lakers over the Trail Blazers the last time the teams met in the Western Conference finals in 1991. “All year long we have been 1-2, as far as teams in the league with best records.

“But there’s one thing that hasn’t changed. If we’re going to win this series, we’ve got to win at least one game in L.A.”

The Trail Blazers realize they have to slow Laker center Shaquille O’Neal to have a chance to advance to the NBA finals. They believe their depth and a sound Brian Grant gives them an edge over a seven-game series.

*

Forward Rasheed Wallace, who bruised his left quadriceps when he bumped into Utah guard Jeff Hornacek in the second half of Tuesday’s Game 5, worked out Wednesday and is expected to play Saturday.

Ingrida Sabonis, wife of Trail Blazer center Arvydas Sabonis, was charged with drunken driving about two hours before Portland defeated Utah on Tuesday. Ingrida Sabonis, a former model and actress who was once named Miss Vilnius of Lithuania, was cited as she drove to pick up her four children.