LAKERS NOTEBOOK: 60-WIN SEASON EYED.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - Maybe the Lakers are still dizzy from Desmon Mason's devastating dunk. Or overly giddy at the imminent return of Derek Fisher and his outsized heart. Or maybe they just had a really good meditation session Monday.

Because for some reason the team that just lost back-to-back overtime heartbreakers is talking about a 60-win season. For the abacus-challenged, that means the Lakers would have to win 19 of their last 20 games.

Brian Shaw humbly envisioned an 18-2 finish, for 59 wins. Fisher immediately upped the ante.

``Nineteen and one,'' said Fisher, who probably will be activated for tonight's game against Boston. ``I mean, my goal personally, and I think our goal as a team, probably subconsciously would be to try our best to get to 60 wins. I'm sure Phil (Jackson) would not want to hear us say these things and put extra pressure on ourselves, but I think as a team we feel like maybe we need some of that now.

``We need to start holding each other accountable.... There's nothing wrong with setting lofty goals, because then you work as hard as you can to achieve them.... At this point, we want to be the best team in the West.''

Said Shaquille O'Neal, ``It can be done.''

Fisher was right about one thing. The coach literally laughed - yes, laughed - at talk of a 60-win season.

``They're dreamers,'' Jackson said.

Jackson would embrace the optimism, ``if it was realistic. But you know, the reality is that we just have to play one game at a time. And right now, we haven't been able to just go through those kind of game situations until we reach that pinnacle where momentum is now on our side. And once you get that momentum and you roll a little bit, then things do happen for you like that.''

--Guard shuffle: Kobe Bryant stayed home for a third consecutive day, suffering from abdominal cramps and a fever caused by a viral infection. Bryant is questionable for tonight's game and if he does play, might not start.

``I'm not counting on him for (Tuesday),'' Jackson said.

Bryant is, however, expected to join the team on Wednesday morning's flight to Detroit, where the Lakers begin a five-game road trip.

Tyronn Lue, who started in Bryant's place Sunday, practiced on his sprained left ankle, but he might land on the injured list anyway to make room for Fisher.

--Welcome back: There's a 90-percent chance that Fisher - fully recovered from September surgery on his right foot - will come off the injured list today. That's the best news the Lakers have had in weeks.

``All the things that he's made of, we're lacking,'' Shaw said. ``More toughness, defensive (presence), just taking charges, getting loose balls and things like that. Leadership. And the knowledge of how the offense runs.''

In four seasons with the Lakers, Fisher has earned a reputation for his selfless play, grit and all-out effort to pounce on loose balls. He also is their best defender against small guards.

``Fish is a warrior and he's going to do good,'' O'Neal said. ``He's going to get some charges, he's going to get some fans in the game. He's going to get us in the game. Fish is our hero. He was one of the heroes last year in Game 7 (of the conference finals).''

Fisher said he feels ready to play about 15 to 20 minutes.

``I'm just going to go out and play hard,'' he said. ``I'm not going to carry the expectations of this whole team on my shoulders. I really just want to come back and contribute and help right the ship.... I feel like I can step in and right away have a positive effect on the game.''

--Not free speech: The NBA is expected to fine O'Neal today for his postgame rant about officiating in Sunday's loss to Seattle. O'Neal fully expects the fine.

``If I should be mad at anybody, it's FICA,'' he said. ``FICA and income tax and sales tax. That's all it is, is a tax. The David Stern tax. I've been affected by the David Stern tax before.''

LAKERS vs. BOSTON

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., Staples Center.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net; 570-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish).

Lakers (41-21) update: A victory tonight gives the Lakers their seventh consecutive winning season and keeps alive hopes of a 60-win campaign. At their current (.661) pace, the Lakers would finish with 54 wins - their lowest in an 82-game season since a 53-29 finish in 1995-96.

Celtics (27-36) update: They won 12 of their first 18 games under interim coach Jim O'Brien - and pulled off an impressive upset at Portland on Feb. 17 - but have since fallen into a familiar rut. Boston has lost eight of its last 11 games, and five in a row on the road.

- Howard Beck

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Box: LAKERS vs. BOSTON (see text)