They’re Not Checking Out of Series Yet

If, indeed, the Portland Trail Blazers need only a nudge to send them off to their rebuilding summer, Laker Coach Phil Jackson would rather not consider it.

It does appear, however, that a sustained early run by the Lakers, or a fast start by Shaquille O’Neal, or a couple of antagonistic referees’ calls might convince the Trail Blazers they’ve had enough for one season. It seems particularly likely, now that they’ll be without Dale Davis and Stacey Augmon for Game 3.

The Lakers leave for Portland this morning. They’ll practice at the Rose Garden in midafternoon. Jackson told everyone to pack enough to last through Tuesday, as though Game 4 were assured.

“We’re going up there with the attitude that it’s for two games, three days,” he said. “We will not check out of our hotel. We will not pack our bags on Sunday. We are going there to play a 48-minute game, or an overtime game, and do whatever it takes to win. That is the only attitude we’ve got to have when it comes to these kinds of things. So many things can happen in a period of time. The preparation we put in has to all be about the force this team brings, the talent they have, their ability to play defense and the fact we’re playing in a hostile arena, which is their home court.”

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The Lakers haven’t played a road game since April 8 in Minnesota. Kobe Bryant, who spent much of the season’s second half dealing with injuries, hasn’t played on the road since March 21 in Milwaukee, where he re-injured his left ankle.

For those reasons they believe today’s practice is important.

“It’s been a while,” Jackson said. “We need to get into that court, play on that court, understand the stress that a home crowd puts on a visiting team.”

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If the Trail Blazers are to advance, they’ll need to sweep the next three games. The Lakers haven’t lost three consecutive games since April 21, 24 and 26, 1999, the season before Jackson arrived. Also, the Trail Blazers haven’t won three consecutive games in a month.

On the other hand, the Lakers lost six playoff games last season that would have eliminated their opponent.

“Ah, killer instinct,” Bryant said.

It was a problem. Sunday they’ll see if it still is.

“Well, that’s trouble,” Jackson said. “I don’t know if I can comment on that yet. We’ll have to test ourselves and see how good we are at that point.”

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Ron Harper, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, experienced some swelling in the area on Thursday. Jackson is hoping Harper can dress Sunday, even if he is a game or two from playing.