Too Many Games Gone in 60 Seconds

The All-Star break is three days away, and the Jazz could pass the Lakers tonight for eighth place in the Western Conference, a reasonable amount of time to count the self-inflicted wounds created by a team potentially better than its 25-25 record, if not for the final 60 seconds of the fourth quarter.

In seven games this season, the Lakers led or were tied in the last minute of regulation but lost.

It happened three times in November, against Philadelphia, Chicago and New Jersey, losses that could be excused as a young team adjusting to a new coach.

Then came December, and a pattern became a glaring habit when Tracy McGrady parted the Laker defense for an easy layup at the buzzer and a 76-74 Houston victory.

Ten days later, Memphis trailed by three with 30 seconds left but forced overtime and won, 100-99.

Then came Lamar Odom’s gaffe in Sacramento, when an offensive charge and a four-point Laker lead with 22 seconds left in the fourth became a 118-109 overtime loss.

Finally, the Lakers fell again to Memphis, a four-point lead with 53 seconds left turning into a 100-99 loss Saturday.

One by one they have stacked up, potential victories turned into frustrating losses in a season that can’t afford much more of the latter.

Even Laker Coach Phil Jackson seemed befuddled by it.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I can’t stick my finger on it.

“We have experienced guys out there for the most part. We’ve got some younger guys, but I don’t accept that [excuse]. Management of the clock, those things are something that you learn pretty quickly because you watch the game for a while and you understand it. We’ve had a few of those mistakes.”

The latest giveaway happened when Brian Cook was way short on a 16-footer with 13.8 seconds left.

The miss gave the Grizzlies a final chance for a victory, sealed with a Chucky Atkins free throw with three seconds to play.

Kobe Bryant had the ball up top but passed to Cook after drawing defenders toward him.

“I thought it was a good call by Kobe,” Jackson said. “He hit the open man and that’s the best I can ask for.

“Then it’s Cook’s responsibility to get a good shot off.”

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Center Chris Mihm will not play tonight against Utah and could be held out of Wednesday’s game against Atlanta because of a sprained right shoulder.

Mihm, who has missed four games, was given a cortisone shot Saturday.

“We’re not counting on him to be here for Wednesday’s game,” Jackson said.

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TONIGHT

vs. Utah, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 25-25, Jazz 25-26.

Record vs. Jazz -- 1-2.

Update -- The Jazz beat the Lakers in consecutive games last month when Kobe Bryant served a two-game suspension for elbowing Memphis forward Mike Miller in the chin. Jazz forward Carlos Boozer, who had not played this season because of a severely strained hamstring, returned Thursday against Minnesota.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849 or ticketmaster.com.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Bad endings

In seven games this season, the Lakers led or were tied in the final minute of the fourth quarter and yet lost the game:

* Nov. 11: Tied 81-81, 0:37 left.

Result: Lost at Philadelphia, 85-81.

* Nov. 20: Tied 93-93, 0:25 left.

Result: Lost to Chicago, 96-93.

* Nov. 27: Tied 91-91 at end of regulation.

Result: Lost to New Jersey, 102-96 (OT).

* Dec. 18: Tied 74-74 as time expires*.

Result: Lost to Houston, 76-74.

* Dec. 28: Tied 88-88 at end of regulation.

Result: Lost to Memphis, 100-99 (OT).

* Jan. 19: Lakers led, 102-98, 0:22 left.

Result: Lost at Sacramento, 118-109 (OT).

* Feb. 11: Lakers led, 99-95, 0:53 left.

Result: Lost to Memphis, 100-99.

* -- Tracy McGrady makes shot at the buzzer.