Shaq Provides Harmony

Forty-eight hours left in a regular-season so long it drifted from tranquil to chaotic and back, the Lakers gave themselves over to one final cleansing, to four late defensive stops and to the momentary subjugation of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Funny, though, that in the process of defending a Pacific Division title that isn’t gone yet, the Lakers took a stand for one another, when Shaquille O’Neal backed down three grown men in the name of Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers defeated the Trail Blazers, 105-100, Sunday afternoon, and with the Sacramento Kings’ 88-86 loss at Phoenix, need only to beat the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night for their second consecutive division championship. As it is, their seventh consecutive victory clinched at least third place in the Western Conference, which means they won’t play San Antonio until the conference finals if both advance as far. The Lakers have lost their last two games against the Nuggets.

O’Neal scored 33 points, took 18 rebounds, made 11 of 16 free-throw attempts and scored on a 10-foot jumper that initiated a 6-0 Laker run that finished the game. He has scored at least 31 points in 10 consecutive games. Robert Horry made a three-pointer from the right corner with 1:05 left to give the Lakers a 104-100 lead.

Portland scored one point in its final five possessions, and the Lakers scored six points in their last three. While a national television audience looked in and a sellout crowd rejoiced over a team that has looked more and more like last season’s NBA champion, the prevailing image was of O’Neal puffing up his chest and glowering at Arvydas Sabonis, whose flagrant foul early in the third quarter had knocked Bryant off the floor.

Bryant, who scored 25 points, 18 in the second half, said he was not surprised that O’Neal stormed to his side.

“Well, it’s what I’ve been saying all year long,” he said. “People want to constantly talk about our relationship and talk about this team. But, we’re not going anywhere. Our character is too strong to let anything, whether it’s said in the media or what goes on in the locker room, we’re too tough and too strong mentally to let that divide us.”

The Lakers haven’t lost since April 1. Whether it’s been in the sudden surge of defensive effort, in O’Neal’s rampant dominance, in Derek Fisher’s patient influence, or in the seamless return of Bryant, the Lakers appear to have rediscovered the attitude that pushed them along a year ago.

If the Trail Blazers, a potential first-round playoff foe of the Lakers, had hoped for help from within the Lakers, neither will they forget O’Neal’s protective instinct.

“I’m the drill sergeant,” O’Neal said after chastising the gathered media for assuming he wouldn’t. “I’m the big brother. I’m a total team player. So, yeah, if somebody does that to Mike Penberthy, I’ll be there. If they do it to Ty Lue, I’ll be there. If they do it to Chick Hearn, I’ll be there.”

The Lakers appear to be together, a fact perhaps prodded along by the chance to finish with eight consecutive wins--they play Denver on Tuesday at Staples Center--and by the fact it is suddenly time to defend their championship.

The Trail Blazers led, 100-99, because Rasheed Wallace scored 10 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and Steve Smith proved a difficult matchup for Bryant. In a playoff-type game that had only 13 turnovers, 10 lead changes and 10 ties, four of the lead changes in the fourth quarter, the Lakers executed three late possessions for the victory.

Bryant passed up an open 20-footer to hit O’Neal low against Dale Davis, and O’Neal made a short jumper for a 101-100 lead. After Damon Stoudamire missed a short pull-up shot, Horry parked himself in the right corner. The ball came to him from around the perimeter, and he let fly with a shallow-arcing shot that swished.

Already standing, the crowd erupted in glee, and Laker players--ahead 104-100--streamed from the bench.

Stoudamire missed another short jumper, Scottie Pippen fouled Bryant, and the Lakers had evened the season series, 2-2. They hadn’t defeated the Trail Blazers since Halloween night, the first game of their title defense.

“It’s big in that we wanted to send them a message that they can’t defeat us at home,” said Bryant, referring to a 109-104 loss on Dec. 25.

“They beat us in a tough game on Christmas day. For them to come in and win two games in a row on our home floor, that would have been bad.”

In its last nine games, Portland defeated Golden State twice and Vancouver once. Along the way, the Trail Blazers lost Bonzi Wells to a torn knee ligament, and without him face a difficult go in the playoffs, particularly if they open against the Lakers.

“We know we might have to play them,” Portland Coach Mike Dunleavy said.

“We’ve played here a lot. Basically I thought we could come in here and get a win. We don’t fear the building. It comes down to which team plays better.”

Asked what might have been established Sunday, Dunleavy raised an eyebrow and said, “It’s pretty close.”

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SHAQ STREAK

Shaquille O’Neal has scored at least 30 points in the last 10 games, improving his average from

27.8 to 28.7:

March 28

vs. SACRAMENTO

33 Points: Lost

March 30

vs. DALLAS

35 Points: Won

April 1

vs. NEW YORK

31 Points: Lost

April 3

at UTAH

31 Points: Won

April 5

at CHICAGO

39 Points: Won

April 6

at BOSTON

39 Points: Won

April 8

at MINNESOTA

34 Points: Won

April 10

vs. PHOENIX

32 Points: Won

April 12

vs. MINNESOTA

31 Points: Won

April 15

vs. PORTLAND

33 Points: Won

*

O’NEAL VOICES OLD REQUEST

Shaquille O’Neal again told media members to “report what you see.” D6

THEY’D LIKE TO MEET LATER

Neither Lakers nor Portland wants a first-round matchup. D7