Officials Weren’t the Problem

The officiating had become such an issue the Lakers did not have to wait until Friday night to learn the identities of the Game 3 referees.

“I know already,” Coach Phil Jackson said in a late-afternoon news conference. “The scouts in L.A. called up and said who the referees are going to be. It’s incredible what it’s like in the playoffs. And I don’t want to know.”

Veterans Steve Javie, Bennett Salvatore and John Vaden called the game.

Asked what he thought of the trio, Jackson said he believed the Lakers would get a fair shake, particularly in regard to Shaquille O’Neal.

“I think they’re among the strongest group we’ve seen, probably the best group of officials that we’ve seen,” he said. “They all have certain characteristics, and I think this one will call three offensive fouls on Shaq if he creates an offensive-foul situation.

“I don’t think there’s any problems with these guys.”

The Sacramento Kings shot 35 free throws and the Lakers shot 15, but there would be no griping from the Lakers, who undermined themselves in the 103-90 defeat.

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Kobe Bryant and Vlade Divac received double technical fouls late in the third quarter after they tangled under the basket.

Wrestling for position, Bryant hit Divac in the face with his left elbow, and Divac turned and confronted Bryant. Players and referees stepped in before Divac could get to Bryant, who chuckled.

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Samaki Walker said Friday that he probably has small tears in the cartilage of his left knee and that he hoped to avoid off-season surgery.

“We’ll look at it again,” he said. “I’ll do everything possible to make that the last resort.”

Walker suffered a bone bruise on the knee about two months ago and has been at less than full strength since.

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O’Neal, on David Robinson’s announcement that he would retire after next season: “Let’s see, I made [Arvydas] Sabonis leave. I made Rik Smits leave...”

He laughed.

“No, he’s a great guy,” O’Neal said of Robinson. “Can’t say nothing bad about a guy like that.”

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Laker publicist John Black was hospitalized Thursday after feeling lethargic. He missed Friday’s game. ... O’Neal has 3,221 career playoff points, 12th on the all-time list. Wilt Chamberlain is 11th, at 3,607. O’Neal averaged 27.8 points in 115 games, Chamberlain 22.5 points in 160.