LAKERS' FISH OFF THE HOOK HE RETURNS TO FORM IN VICTORY OVER MEMPHIS LAKERS 100, MEMPHIS 85.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The lift in his legs matched the lift in his spirits. Derek Fisher isn't wallowing in self-doubt now or cranking out 3-pointers for the sake of releasing his frustration. He's found a happy rhythm again, in his head and on the court, and his game has regained a familiar form.

It might as well have happened here, in what almost qualifies as home. The Fisher clan, mom and dad, nephews and cousins, made the two-hour drive from Little Rock, Ark. Surrounded by family and friends, Fisher quashed whatever was left of the funk that came with his removal from the starting lineup a week ago.

With 21 points, 11 in a critical third-quarter run, Fisher provided the Lakers with a needed spark in a sluggish game, and propelled them to a 100-85 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at the Pyramid.

Only eight days earlier, Fisher was dealing with a surprise demotion by coach Phil Jackson. It took a few days to adjust to the bench role, a few more to stop forcing shots and thrive again, and a little longer to declare everything's OK.

``I'm relaxed again,'' Fisher said. ``And I'm not really concerned with why the change has been made or how long it's going to be, whatever. All that stuff is over. Now it's just about going out and helping us win.''

Starter Lindsey Hunter continues to battle a stiff back and occasionally struggles with running the offense, and so Fisher played 34 minutes, and all but two minutes of the second half.

Jackson has come to rely on his steady playmaking, but it was Fisher's swift shooting that was needed most as the Lakers moved to 3-1 with one game left on the road trip.

Shaquille O'Neal, battling sore toes, labored for 26 points and 10 rebounds. But the Grizzlies, hyperaware of Kobe Bryant after he dropped a career-high 56 points on them two weeks ago, swarmed him. That was Fisher's cue.

The Lakers had trailed continuously since the start of the end of the first quarter and were down 69-60 late in the third. But they closed out the period with a finger roll from Bryant, then back-to-back 3-pointers by Fisher, both from the same spot on the right side of the arc.

Robert Horry hit a 3-pointer to open the fourth and the Lakers had an 11-0 run to take their first lead of the second half. By the time the surge was over, the Lakers had put together a 36-6 run that gave them a 96-75 lead.

There would be no repeat of the stunning loss they suffered here in December. The Lakers closed the season series with three wins in four games.

``We saved the best for last tonight again,'' Jackson said. ``Derek Fisher was a terrific input in the game.''

The win, the Lakers' fourth in five games, came with some encouraging contributions from the role players. Rick Fox hit a pair of 3-pointers in the late run and finished with 10 points and seven assists. Samaki Walker had nine points and nine rebounds.

Brevin Knight and Pau Gasol scored 13 points each for the Grizzlies.

``We needed a game like this, where our players stepped up off the bench, started contributing and played big minutes,'' Bryant said.

None bigger than Fisher. He made 8 of 14 field goals, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range, and dished out four assists.

``You know Fish - Fish is a soldier, he's a fighter,'' Bryant said. ``I was concerned about him for a little bit. But Fish is always fighting through things, and he just kept fighting. And he's starting to find his rhythm a little bit right now.''

Fisher, sitting with his surgically repaired right foot immersed in ice, offered a satisfied smile. About two dozen family and friends were in the building.

``It felt good just being back in this area, that helped me relax also,'' he said. ``Just got a chance to see my mom earlier today. It's always good when you get to see the family.''

WINNINGEST COACHES

The Lakers' Phil Jackson won his 700th game on Friday. The coaches with the most victories in NBA history follow (including games of Feb. 1; active coaches in capital letters)

Coach Record Pct.

1. LENNY WILKENS 1,253-1,035 .548

2. PAT RILEY 1,066-494 .683

3. DON NELSON 1,012-794 .560

4. Bill Fitch 944-1,106 .460

5. Red Auerbach 938-479 .662

6. Dick Motta 935-1,017 .479

7. Jack Ramsay 864-783 .525

8. Cotton Fitzsimmons 832-775 .518

9. LARRY BROWN 811-634 .561

10. JERRY SLOAN 808-470 .632

11. Gene Shue 784-861 .477

12. John MacLeod 707-657 .518

13. PHIL JACKSON 700-246 .740

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Kobe Bryant glides between two Memphis players in the first quarter Friday night.

(2) Shaquille O'Neal slams home two of his 26 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds in Friday night's victory at Memphis.

Alan Spearman/Associated Press

Box:

(1) WINNINGEST COACHES (see text)

(2) GAME RECAP