Job of Trying to Curb Nash Falls to Parker

The Lakers have been thinking inside the box, talking about the need to get Kwame Brown established in the post and hoping the points come easily that way against the Phoenix Suns.

But there’s that nagging problem of what happens on the outside, where Steve Nash does his best work, finding open three-point shooters and creating chaos with his penetrate-and-pitch ability.

It will be up to Smush Parker to curb Nash’s dash, trying to force the defending league MVP east-west instead of north-south.

Parker, who played five games with the Suns last season, received the highest compliment from Nash earlier in the season -- “He’s got terrific hands. Yeah, he got me a few times” -- but the time for pleasantries ends with the last regular-season game.

“He likes to play around with the ball,” Parker said matter-of-factly. “He has great footwork, being that he’s a soccer player. But he’s definitely loose with the ball. I can definitely bother him a little bit if I get into his body.”

Get into his what?

“Just be a little physical with him, try to keep him off balance a little bit, jab at him,” Parker said. “Don’t let him get a full head of steam going up the court, getting a running start on our defense.”

Nash averaged 18 points and 12.3 assists in three games against the Lakers this season. His season averages were 18.8 points and 10.5 assists.

If Parker gets in foul trouble, a distinct possibility, the Lakers will be forced to turn to Sasha Vujacic, Kobe Bryant or even Devean George, possibilities Coach Phil Jackson didn’t seem to want to explore.

“Smush has had some success this season” against Nash, Jackson said. “He’s about the only one I can really say has really had some success.”

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Based on Saturday’s practice, Jackson was not sure if center Chris Mihm would play today.

Mihm missed 17 games because of a severely sprained right ankle before returning Wednesday against New Orleans. He had some swelling in his ankle Saturday and did not look very mobile.

“He just didn’t look like he was free in moving,” Jackson said. “The training staff has said we’re going to have good days and bad days with Chris. Hopefully [today] is a good one.”

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The Lakers will return home immediately after today’s game and will wedge in two practices in L.A. before returning to Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon. Game 2 is Wednesday. “This is as short a commute as we almost have in the NBA, and it’s easy to get back home and get some rest in our own beds,” Jackson said. ... Jackson, asked if he relishes an unfamiliar role as a playoff underdog: “No. I’d just as soon be the favorite.”