Jackson Can’t Figure Them Out

In a game where the last team to be dynamic would win, the Lakers gave up 34 fourth-quarter points to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.

In the same quarter, at the end of a 114-108 loss at the Pyramid, the Lakers missed half of their six free throws, the Grizzlies made 14 of 18 and the Lakers found that the worst team in the Western Conference, even for 12 minutes, was better than they were.

So, their parallel victory paces are 68 overall, but only 27 on the road. Considering their occasional lapses in such games, 73 victories and a record-breaking regular season is remote.

“The importance of what we want to do does have a lot to do with being prepared to play every game,” said Coach Phil Jackson, whose Chicago Bull team set the 72-win record. “For some people, the regular season pales in comparison to the playoffs, and I’ve found that this team’s ability to focus for the playoffs is really high.

“As a coach, I can’t demand more than they’ve given me in the past, and I don’t expect any more. So, at times I wonder if it’s even of value to approach.”

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Laker broadcaster Chick Hearn was in serious but extremely stable condition Friday night at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where he was recovering from Wednesday’s open-heart surgery.

Hearn could be released from the hospital as early as Monday, according to Laker spokesman John Black, though Wednesday is more likely. Black described Hearn as surprised at the interest in his procedure.

“The guy really had no idea that people cared about him so much, and that it would be such a big deal,” Black said. “He was very appreciative of that, the thoughts and prayers he’s receiving.”

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Dick Schaap, who died Friday, was a writer in New York when Jackson played for the Knicks, and the two were friendly.

Usually wary of reporters, Jackson called Schaap, “one of the rare television people who were quality journalists.”

In fact, Jackson and Schaap occasionally found themselves at the same parties, at least one in which they played parlor games in the home of Red Holzman.

“He was not as [obtrusive] as [Howard] Cosell,” Jackson said. “Cosell used to show up uninvited all the time. But, [Schaap] was around. It was fun to be around Dick. He had a good sense of humor.”

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From Jackson, Miss., a three-hour drive from Memphis, Lindsey Hunter bought 25 tickets for friends and family. Beyond that, Jackson State, Hunter’s alma mater, sold tickets to Friday’s game, and it filled a bus with Hunter fans.