Sabonis Poses Little Problem for O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal had a suggestion for Portland Coach Mike Dunleavy, who complained after Sunday’s game that O’Neal spends too much time in the lane: Send someone other than Arvydas Sabonis to guard him.

“If Dunleavy had a big center who played me straight up rather than holding me in the lane, then I wouldn’t be there for three seconds,� O’Neal said. “I don’t have to go into the lane to score. But, it’s obvious [Sabonis] doesn’t want to play. He cries and he flops. Whenever he decides to play then I’ll play.�

O’Neal, who scored 31 or more points in the Lakers’ last 11 regular-season games, missed 14 of 21 shots and scored 24 points. But, he was 10 for 15 from the free-throw line, fouled out Dale Davis in nine minutes and also had Sabonis in foul trouble.

“I don’t usually shoot seven for 21,� said O’Neal, who led the NBA in field-goal percentage. “That’s a disgrace. That’s a dishonor to my family to go seven for 21.�

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Though he appeared bothered by a bruised left rib, particularly in the second quarter, Kobe Bryant does not expect it to hinder him in Game 2. Bryant iced and wrapped his midsection during the second quarter, when he played eight minutes, then re-wrapped at halftime.

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The more Michael Jordan hedges on preserving his retirement and his golf game, the more Phil Jackson must wonder.

After all, a long time ago, given the chance to play for Doug Collins and then Jackson, Jordan welcomed Jackson and then won six championships with him. This time, he has a choice.

With every interview, it seems, Jordan gets closer to returning to a game he left three years ago. This weekend, he said it wouldn’t necessarily have to be with the Washington Wizards, a team in which he has an ownership stake and serves as president.

“I left the door open for him to come to L.A.,� Jackson said with a grin. “But, I don’t want to tamper with any of the Wizards’ property.�

But, the Wizards are his property.

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Derek Fisher’s 21 points were a playoff career high. . . . Bryant and Fisher, the starting backcourt, did not commit a turnover. . . . The Lakers outrebounded the Trail Blazers in the second half, 27-14.