They Seek Right Angle on Triangle

The Lakers spent more than three hours Tuesday practicing the little things they failed to do properly Monday night while falling, 85-73, to the Memphis Grizzlies and returning home on a three-game losing streak.

This included shooting, passing, rebounding, defending and hustling at each end of the court. Another factor during the skid, however, has been a failure among the younger players to grasp the nuances of the triangle offense.

“Defenses have really loaded up on Kobe [Bryant], and he has not been shooting well,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “And as a consequence, with this neophyte group that we’re playing with right now, it’s difficult for us to really put together a good offensive showing.

“A lot of it is confidence, and a lot of it is just adjusting and knowing where their shots are going to come and when, and making them understand that they have to get into a rhythm and play.”

Even triangle guru Tex Winter, who had not been with the team since the start of the regular season, made an appearance at practice.

Bryant is averaging 29.9 points but is shooting only 46% from the field. Lamar Odom and Smush Parker are averaging 14.6 and 13 points, respectively, and the team scoring average has fallen to 93.4 points a game.

Asked whether he has been able to help the younger players learn the triangle, Bryant said, “It’s a process that they’re going to have to figure out on their own.”

The Lakers begin a five-game homestand tonight against the New York Knicks, then play host to the Clippers on Friday night.

Jackson acknowledged that there is a sense of urgency for his 3-4 team, saying, “We think that we should get back into a winning situation here on the home floor. I told them they have only so long before things have to tighten up and they know that.”

TONIGHT

vs. New York, 7, FSN West, ESPN

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 3-4, Knicks 2-5.

Record vs. the Knicks (2004-05) -- 1-1.

Update -- This will be the first time Phil Jackson and Larry Brown have faced each other as coaches since the 2004 NBA Finals, when the Detroit Pistons beat the Lakers in five games.