Suns Are Brightly in His Sights

Although the Lakers still need a victory or a Utah loss to clinch a playoff berth, Coach Phil Jackson has had his sights set on Phoenix as a possible first-round opponent for months.

“Since the start of the year,” Jackson responded when asked when the Lakers began thinking about a possible playoff matchup with the Suns, who face the Lakers today at Staples Center.

The Lakers have lost to Phoenix three times this season. Every game was close, but the Lakers were forced to play catch-up against the Suns’ wide-open style.

“I guess I do have an insight on how they play,” said veteran Jim Jackson, who played 67 games with Phoenix over the last two seasons before joining the Lakers on March 6. “The best way to deal with them is to counteract their three-point shooting and their guard play. Being part of their system, I know a lot of interesting things that go on that can lend some credence to our defensive philosophy.

“We’re starting to get them down.... You just can’t let them go on streaks without coming back with something of your own. They’re going to score points in bunches because they shoot so many jump shots. But they are going to make some and they are going to miss some. You just have to weather the storm and keep pounding the ball inside.”

That’s something Phil Jackson talked about after the Lakers’ practice on Saturday, particularly in regard to Kwame Brown, who has struggled in averaging barely 15 minutes of playing time against the Suns this season.

“He’s not had opportunities to play his game,” Jackson said about Brown, who has 10 points and 12 rebounds combined in three games against Phoenix. “The game hasn’t come his direction. That’s something we’re trying to find to see if he can be effective against the Suns. He’s been effective against other teams and has played well. He’s contributed to help us win a lot of games here over the last couple of weeks.”

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At 52-27, Phoenix has clinched the Pacific Division championship and the No. 2 seeding in the Western Conference playoffs. In the Suns’ 110-102 loss at Golden State on Friday, Coach Mike D’Antoni said he did not play Steve Nash and Raja Bell because he wanted to rest them.

Jackson, who never is shy when it comes to league issues, said in the past that teams could sit players only because of legitimate injuries.

“You used to not be able to do that.... You still played your players,” Jackson said. “The league didn’t mind if the minutes dropped but” players had to play.

“Everyone is banged up at this time of year.”

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Kobe Bryant on his reported feud with Bell: “I respect players in the league who play hard. There’s a respect level there. But I don’t know the guy. How can I not like the guy when I don’t even know him? That doesn’t make sense.”

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Jim Jackson on his limited playing time since joining the Lakers: “It’s a situation where Phil is comfortable with the rotation that he has,” he said. “Yeah, it’s tough, but we’re winning and headed to the playoffs. Hopefully during the playoff stretch, my number comes up. I’ll be ready because my body is fresh from the lack of wear and tear this season.”

Center Chris Mihm, who suffered a severe ankle injury a month ago, took another step toward returning to the lineup when he scrimmaged Saturday. Phil Jackson said Mihm looked good but still needs more time before he’s at full strength.

TODAY

vs. Phoenix, 12:30 p.m., Channel 7

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 43-37, Suns 52-27.

Record vs. Suns -- 0-3.

Update -- Nash has been slowed because of thigh and hamstring injuries, and Bell has been sidelined because of a quadriceps strain. Phoenix’s Shawn Marion is second in the NBA in rebounding at 11.9 a game and is seventh in the league in minutes played at 40.4 a game. Bryant is averaging 42 points a game against the Suns this season.