Jackson Making Sure O’Neal Rests

Coach Phil Jackson says he is looking to find a few more minutes of rest per game for Shaquille O’Neal, who averaged 44.4 minutes in the Lakers’ last five games and is averaging 39.6 minutes this season.

In Wednesday’s victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, O’Neal got a rare three-minute breather during the first half--he almost always plays all but a few seconds of the first two quarters--and played 42 minutes overall.

“I shaved a minute off his time the other day, so that was pretty good,� Jackson said Friday of the Cleveland game.

“He looked tired to me in the first half, and that’s why I took him out. I asked him if he was tired, he said he was. I said, ‘Well, then you’ve got to come out. If you’re tired, you can’t play tired.’ �

The Washington Post reported that the Lakers, according to a league source, are interested in acquiring Washington Wizard center Ike Austin. Laker Executive Vice President Jerry West confirmed this week that the team is looking at options to upgrade the roster, but said no move was imminent.

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Guard Tyronn Lue, on the injured list since Nov. 15, will be sidelined at least the next three months after undergoing knee surgery.

TONIGHT

vs. Portland

5:30, Channel 4

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 33-7, Trail Blazers 29-10.

* 1999-2000 record vs. Trail Blazers--1-1.

* Update--Portland is coming off a wacky Texas trip in which it lost consecutive games to the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, then thumped the San Antonio Spurs, 105-95. The home team has won 11 consecutive regular-season meetings between these teams.

* Tickets--Sold out.