[0] WHEN UGLY'S ENOUGH: LAKERS LEAGUE'S BEST ON SLOPPY WIN OVER WIZARD : LAKERS 91, WASHINGTON 80.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

Phil Jackson paid deference to the NBA scheduling gods Tuesday morning, but the gods seemed to ignore his gesture.

He canceled the Lakers' usual game-day shootaround, wisely noting that a mere 19 hours separated today's tipoff in Sacramento from last night's final buzzer against Washington at Staples Center.

But the same move that preserved their strength also sapped their rhythm, and it took an extraordinary late effort to put away a lousy Wizards team 91-80 Tuesday night.

The team that relies on rhythm had 24 left feet, and they kept stepping on their dance partners' toes. Early shots hit more glass than net, and it took three quarters before they finally found a groove and recorded their seventh consecutive win.

``It's tough. We didn't come in and get our normal shootaround this morning,'' guard Derek Fisher said. ``So you think about it, guys have basically just been kind of laying around, chilling all day. Especially in that first half it makes it tough to find a rhythm. It was evident tonight that we didn't have any rhythm on the offensive end, didn't really have that spark or energy flowing.

``Coach, he knew it would be that way, but he still felt like we had to.

``Playing at 5 o'clock (tonight) is going to be tough. He had to do something to at least give us a chance to catch our breath a little bit. We're looking at 16 hours, and we'll be lacing up again.''

And playing for control of the Pacific Division. With the Portland Trail Blazers (15-5) losing at home to the Miami Heat (14-4), the Lakers (15-4) moved into first place by a half-game, with the Kings (11-4) not far behind. The Lakers also improved to the league's best mark.

``When there's 10 in a row then I'll be pleased,'' Jackson said of the winning streak. ``I think this team's capable of winning 10 in a row, and it'd be a good landmark for us.''

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal both sputtered early, Bryant missing jump shots from all over the floor and O'Neal being denied some of his usual post position by the Wizards' Ike Austin and Jahidi White.

It left O'Neal with just 10 points by halftime and Bryant 2 of 7 from the field as the Lakers managed just a one-point lead.

Both regained their form in time to save the win. O'Neal scored 20 points in the second half, playing 46 total minutes. He also contributed 16 rebounds and seven blocked shots. Bryant scored 14 in the fourth quarter - going 10 for 10 from the foul line - to finish with 21, despite 5-of-19 shooting from the field.

``I've been working on my jump shot a great deal,'' Bryant said. ``Some of the shots were pretty good looks; I wasn't making them.''

Jackson called it ``one of his most anxious first halves,'' and Bryant didn't deny it. ``I'm anxious every game,'' he said.

No one else proved to be much help. Glen Rice was 5 for 14 from the field, finishing with 15 points. Rick Fox added 11, but only one point in the second half.

The starting backcourt of Derek Fisher and Ron Harper combined for just six points, while the Wizards got most of their offense from starting guards Mitch Richmond (23 points) and Rod Strickland (12 points).

Bad teams have often given the Lakers the biggest fits in recent years. But they put away the Orlando Magic on Sunday by pouring it on early, then riding out the rout. It appeared the Phil Jackson Lakers had shed the bad habit of playing down to their opponent.

Until Tuesday night.

``I think a team has to develop a killer instinct for the .500-or-less teams, the ones that are teams that are going to be difficult on given nights, that have problems internally or have injuries, but can rise up and be difficult on some nights,'' Jackson said.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, chart

PHOTO (1 -- 2 -- color) Shaquille O'Neal, top, swats a shot by Washington's Juwon Howard. Below, the Wizards' Isaac Austin attempts the same against A.C. Green.

Photos by Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

CHART: Game recap