Turnovers a Concern

The Lakers have won two in a row and looked much better beating the Utah Jazz Sunday night than they had in losing to the Jazz five days earlier.

But Coach Phil Jackson isn’t satisfied. “We’re not clicking on all eight cylinders,” he said after practice Monday.

Jackson is concerned about turnovers -- 21 against the Jazz, leading to 25 points -- and isn’t pleased that his team wasn’t able to put away the Jazz after leading by 20 midway through the fourth quarter. The Lakers won, 110-101.

“We should have been able to pull the regulars out and let them rest the last five minutes of the game,” Jackson said.

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Besides Shaquille O’Neal rounding into shape, another key reason for the Lakers’ recent success is improved shooting.

The Lakers shot 51.4% Friday, when they erased a 30-point deficit to beat Dallas -- mainly because of a 16-for-18 fourth quarter -- and they shot 50.6% against the Jazz.

They’re shooting 42.4% for the season.

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Rookie Kareem Rush aggravated an injury to his left wrist Sunday and is listed as day-to-day.

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Kobe Bryant, who has averaged 23.3 points, 9.3 assists, seven rebounds and 2.5 steals in the last four games, was named Western Conference player of the week.

TONIGHT

at Golden State, 7:30 p.m., Ch. 9

Radio -- KLAC (570), KWKW (1130).

Site -- The Arena in Oakland.

Records -- Lakers 9-13, Warriors 7-13.

Update -- The Lakers will be trying to win three in succession for the first time this season. The Warriors’ Antawn Jamison is averaging 32.3 points and 9.8 rebounds in his last four games.