They Might Be in First Tonight

The Lakers are down to their final two regular-season games, and could move into first place in the Pacific Division with a victory over Portland today at Staples Center if Sacramento loses at Phoenix.

It’s still possible for the Lakers (54-26) to end up with the second-best record in the NBA. Only three teams have a better record, and two--Sacramento and Philadelphia--are only half a game ahead at 54-25.

“After all we’ve been through, it feels good to be among the teams with the best records,” Kobe Bryant said after practice Saturday.

Bryant is feeling good about a number of things.

“I turned my right ankle a little in the last game, but it’s OK,” he said. “The ankles are good, they’re stable. I feel pretty good. Everything is as good as can be.”

As for the team, Bryant, who essentially sat out 10 games because of a sore left foot before coming back strong in the last two, said the key to the season-high six-game winning streak has been defensive intensity.

He also singled out the play of Shaquille O’Neal, particularly his free-throw shooting. O’Neal has made 60% of his foul shots since the All-Star break.

O’Neal stayed an extra hour at practice to work on his free-throw shooting and put on an impressive display. Asked for a comment afterward, he said, “I don’t talk about my free-throw shooting.”

TODAY

vs. Portland

2:30 p.m., Channel 4

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 54-26, Trail Blazers 50-30.

* Record vs. Trail Blazers--1-2.

* Update--The Lakers will be trying to even the season series with the Trail Blazers. The Lakers won the first meeting, and the Trail Blazers won the next two, most recently, 109-104, on Christmas Day at Staples Center. Portland is without Bonzi Wells, lost for the season because of a knee injury, and Shawn Kemp, who is undergoing voluntary drug treatment. Since the 1994-95 season, Portland is 21-12 against the Lakers.

* Tickets--(800) 462-2849.