LAKERS ACHIEVE HARMONY IN VICTORY KOBE HAS KIND OF GAME JACKSON WANTS TO SEE LAKERS 110, MEMPHIS 94.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

Kobe Bryant usually figures these things out before anyone else, fitting the jagged-edged pieces of his game and his head together while everyone else, his coach included, watches and wonders and waits for the moment it all makes sense.

Only Bryant, who rarely offers any insight into his own psyche - not to teammates or coaches, much less the public - knows for certain what drives him to score 55 points one night and 14 the next, and so the Lakers must settle for the standard explanation:

Don't worry, I'm working on it.

It has been Bryant's rallying cry for much of the last month as he tries to regain his rhythm as a playmaker first and scorer second, the better to fit his game around the rejuvenated Shaquille O'Neal.

The results are uneven, and sometimes baffling to coach Phil Jackson, but Bryant seemed to have everything in order Monday night as the Lakers fended off the Memphis Grizzlies 110-94 at Staples Center.

Jackson was surprisingly at a loss for explanations after Bryant scored just 14 points in Sunday night's loss at Seattle, a game in which Bryant appeared unwilling to attack. Two nights earlier, he had burned the record books in a victory over Washington.

So Jackson, and then Bryant, expended a lot of oxygen before Monday's game trying to assure reporters that nothing serious was amiss.

Relationships are OK. Strategy is OK. Karma, fine.

Once on the court, Bryant displayed perfect balance. He deftly set the table for O'Neal, kept his teammates involved and did plenty of damage himself along the way: 29 points, eight assists, five rebounds and a career-high tying six steals.

O'Neal had 21 points by halftime, the Lakers had a 14-point lead, and the game was never in doubt, despite some shaky moments in the third quarter.

For Bryant, the game was a return to the form Jackson wants to see, and the form Bryant swears he's perfecting for the playoffs.

``It's a lot. It's a lot to focus on,'' he said of the dual scoring and playmaking responsibilities. ``But you know what, my role here has always been difficult, it's been hard. But I've been able to make the adjustment. Because when things really get rolling, then I make those switches from quarter to quarter. So it's just about finding that rhythm again. I don't really think it's that big a deal, I don't really think it's that serious.''

The Lakers won their 11th consecutive home game, matching their best streak from last season, and pulled within a half-game of idle Utah for the sixth seed in the West.

Former Lakers executive Jerry West, now the Grizzlies' chief basketball mind, was in town but skipped the game, and saved himself some aggravation. The Grizzlies had the chance to secure the first winning month in franchise history but failed with successive losses to the Clippers and Lakers.

Lorenzen Wright took the early brunt of O'Neal's aggression and showed the frustration with two quick fouls and some choice words for the referees. O'Neal finished with 34 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lakers got strong supporting efforts from Slava Medvedenko (11 points and six rebounds in a rare start) and Derek Fisher (10 points). It's the supporting cast that has worried Jackson most, which is why he frets over Bryant's occasional overzealous shooting.

``For our team to really get to be good, we can't atrophy the remaining guys on the team. They've got to have some part in the game,'' Jackson said.

Pau Gasol led the Grizzlies with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Wesley Person added 20 points.

With eight games left to play, and April upon them, the Lakers are trying to regain their playoff form. Jackson reminded them recently of the eight-game winning streak they used to close out the 2000-01 season. They were similarly disjointed that year until the final kick, which spurred an incredible championships run that began with 11 consecutive playoff wins.

``We need to have that happen to us,'' Jackson said. ``We need to get some kind of momentum. And I know we have a real tough schedule and some road games and some back-to-backs left that we've got to play. We've got to demonstrate not only to ourselves but to the referees and officials and people in this league that we're coming into these playoffs with some momentum and are seriously going to defend our championship. ...

``We've had enough coasting.''

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(color) Kobe Bryant showed balance in his game by recording 29 points and eight assists Monday.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer

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