O’Neal Probably Will Sit Out Again

Shaquille O’Neal probably will not play tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers because the sore arch on his right foot, which sidelined him for Sunday’s game at New York, remained tender Monday.

O’Neal, who ranks among the NBA’s top five in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, received treatment Monday and will continue therapy for plantar fasciitis. He remained unable to rise on his toes, and therefore did not participate in a light practice at Gund Arena.

The Lakers have lost three of four games and five of nine. Monday’s practice focused on running the offense without O’Neal. Of course, he might say that the Lakers had become skilled at that months ago.

“I don’t know if [Sunday’s game] helped, there wasn’t much success there,” Laker Coach Phil Jackson said of the 91-81 loss to the Knicks. “There wasn’t a lot to draw from. But, today, we got back at it a bit. It’s an easy enough offense that you should be able to do it. But they’re so used to easy shots coming because Shaq demands so much attention that it became a little more difficult for them.”

O’Neal’s absence comes at a time when the Lakers are shooting dreadfully. Kobe Bryant, who has suffered from right shoulder and left elbow soreness, had his right elbow iced Monday. He missed 15 of 27 shots Sunday, continuing a tepid shooting month in which he is 12 for 53 from beyond the three-point arc.

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Longtime Laker trainer Gary Vitti was arrested and charged with battery upon a co-habitant, former fiance Wendy Newton, about a week after a May 29 incident at their home in Manhattan Beach. In the arrest report, Newton claimed Vitti choked her until she was unconscious.

Police who answered the 911 call and spent 45 minutes at the home on May 29, took neither into custody.

A jury trial is scheduled for Superior Court in the South Bay for March 5.

Newton also accused Vitti of receiving preferential treatment from Manhattan Beach police officers, in part because he allegedly provided the officers with tickets to Laker games.

Tony Capozzola, Vitti’s attorney, claimed Newton’s charges are a result of Vitti’s intent to terminate an 18-month relationship. Capozzola said Vitti gave an officer two tickets as thanks for his help in a case last season involving a stalking of Jackson.

“The accusation that there was a special deal given to Gary Vitti is absolutely false,” Capozzola said.

The fact that Vitti declined a plea arrangement and demanded the trial, Capozzola said, “is the ultimate purveyor of truth. We’re going to trial. We’re not asking for any favors. We’re not getting any favors.”

On Capozzola’s advice, Vitti did not comment.

“Gary’s been with us for two decades,” Laker spokesman John Black said. “He’s been a great employee and a great member of the community.”

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NBA officials expect to announce a ruling today on a protest filed last week by the Vancouver Grizzlies, who claimed a malfunctioning clock at Staples Center aided the Lakers’ overtime victory Jan. 15.

The Lakers maintained the clock did not alter the game’s outcome.

TONIGHT

at Cleveland, 4:30 PST

Channel 9 (delayed at 5:30)

* Site--Gund Arena.

* Radio--KLAC (570), 5:30.

* Records--Lakers 27-15, Cavaliers 20-22.

* Record vs. Cavaliers--1-0.

* Update--Rick Fox, who suffered a bruised shoulder Sunday against the Knicks, and Robert Horry, who has a swollen knee, are expected to play. Chris Mihm, the Cavaliers’ 7-foot rookie from Texas, is expected to play. He sat out nine games because of a bruised knee. Guard Andre Miller had 23 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals in a 101-98 loss to the Lakers on Jan. 12.