CAN THIS GROUP REGROUP?; LAKERS SEEK SENSE OF URGENCY IN WHAT MAY BE SEASON FINALE.Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer To get back from the brink Back from the Brink can refer to:
As of Sunday evening, coach Del Harris and point guard Nick Van Exel Nickey (Nick) Maxwell Van Exel (born November 27 1971 in Kenosha, Wisconsin) is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA. Van Exel, a 6'1" left-handed point guard, was most well known for his flashy style of play and his ability to hit critical shots during had not spoken about their spat in the early minutes of Game 4 - a spat that contributed to the 110-95 loss and, for many, will symbolize the 1997 playoff collapse if the Lakers do not recover from a 3-1 deficit in this Western Conference semifinal. ``I'm not talking about Del,'' Van Exel said. ``We didn't talk, because it really wasn't that big a deal,'' Harris said. ``Everybody made a big deal of it, but if it had been a big deal, I wouldn't have put Nick back in.'' Will the argument have an impact on the team's performance tonight against Utah in Game 5? ``It's an unfortunate situation, but it's over and we have to try to move on,'' veteran guard Byron Scott Byron Scott may refer to:
Like injuries, for instance. Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). said he will play tonight despite a bruised tailbone tail·bone n. See coccyx. , suffered during a hard fall in Game 4. It prevented him from practicing Sunday. Guard Eddie Jones also skipped practice (knee tendinitis) but is expected to play. Scott is another matter. His sprained right (shooting) wrist is more painful and swollen than before Game 4. When asked if he was doubtful, questionable or probable, Scott shrugged and said: ``All three. I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what to tell you.'' And what of Elden Campbell? The enigmatic power forward scored three points in Game 4 and has been outscored 111-33 by counterpart Karl Malone. ``We really need Elden,'' Harris said. ``(Saturday) was not a good performance.'' Scott believes postseason life depends on regaining the sense of urgency that existed in Game 3, a 20-point victory, but mysteriously vanished before Game 4. Without it, the Lakers became passive, sloppy and self-destructive. ``Any indecisiveness in·de·ci·sive adj. 1. Prone to or characterized by indecision; irresolute: an indecisive manager. 2. Inconclusive: an indecisive contest; an indecisive battle. , and it will be over (tonight),'' he said. ``We have three Game 7s, and we have to play like that. We can't play like it's the 25th game of the regular season, be lackadaisical lack·a·dai·si·cal adj. Lacking spirit, liveliness, or interest; languid: "There'll be no time to correct lackadaisical driving techniques after trouble develops" William J. Hampton. and running around hoping to win it in the end. That's what it seemed like to me (in Game 4).'' Now the Lakers will attempt what five teams in NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= history have accomplished: win a series after trailing 3-1. ``It's adversity,'' O'Neal said, ``but it's also a challenge, and I love challenges.'' Even if Van Exel and Harris have reached detente dé·tente n. 1. A relaxing or easing, as of tension between rivals. 2. A policy toward a rival nation or bloc characterized by increased diplomatic, commercial, and cultural contact and a desire to reduce tensions, as through , even if Jones and O'Neal are 100 percent, Scott can play, Campbell contributes and the Lakers rekindle re·kin·dle tr.v. re·kin·dled, re·kin·dling, re·kin·dles 1. To relight (a fire). 2. To revive or renew: rekindled an old interest in the sciences. that sense of urgency, then all they must do is beat Utah twice in the Delta Center - where the Jazz is 42-3 this season and the Lakers have not won since 1994. ``We knew we were going to have to win one game here regardless,'' Harris said, referring to Utah's homecourt advantage. ``Now it has to be this one, and then hope for a Game 7. The history of Game 7 is that it's anybody's ballgame.'' The Lakers' practices are closed to the public, but by all accounts Sunday's workout was quiet and serious. Defense was the primary concern, especially devising a strategy that will both contain Malone and pressure small forward Bryon Russell, who turned open jumpers into a career-high 29 points in Game 4. Problem is, if the Lakers double-team Malone, then someone's open on the perimeter: Russell, Jeff Hornacek (26 points in Game 3) or Dream Teamer John Stockton. Harris believes rebounding is the key. The Lakers had a 47-37 advantage in Game 3, then relinquished control of the boards on Saturday, 41-30. Vital to dictating tempo and scoring opportunities, rebounds also represent a team's aggressiveness - or lack of it. ``The 20-rebound differential in Games 3 and 4 is far more telltale than Nick Van Exel coming out for two minutes in the first quarter,'' Harris said. Or so he hopes. CAPTION(S): Photo, Box Photo: (Color) Carried away: Houston's Charles Barkley, right, escorts newfound hero Matt Maloney off the court after the Rockets' overtime win against Seattle. Page 3. Associated Press Box: LAKERS vs. UTAH |
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