LAKERS NOTEBOOK: A CONFIDENCE BUILDER WITHOUT SHAQ, LAKERS FIND OUT THEY STILL CAN COMPETE.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

The Lakers didn't thrive without Shaquille O'Neal, they merely survived. And if he returns Friday night, as expected, the final tally will be: one ugly loss, one thrilling overtime win, and the confidence that, if necessary, they can compete with O'Neal on the bench.

``I think it was very important that we got a win without him in the lineup,'' said Glen Rice, the hero of Monday's overtime win over Seattle. ``We'd definitely love to have him, but there's going to be situations where he may be in foul trouble, and we've got to believe that we can go out there and play without him.''

In all likelihood, the Lakers won't have to prove that point again anytime soon. Coach Phil Jackson gave the team two days off, and by the time the Lakers practice again Thursday, O'Neal will have rested his sprained left ankle for a week.

O'Neal almost certainly will play Friday night, when the Lakers play host to the Sacramento Kings.

The win Monday was the Lakers' first in three Shaq-less games this season.

``We know when we get Shaq back in that 5-spot (the center position), we're going to be a good team,'' said Ron Harper. ``He's a player this team needs to have, and we need him back. So whenever he feels like playing basketball again, there's a suit there for him . . . . I would love to have Shaq back, but on his own time.''

And though the Lakers suffered an 18-point rout against the Spurs and shot 35.8 percent over the last two games, Harper said the malaise was due to more than just O'Neal's absence.

``You've got to understand, we've got a large lead here (in the standings), and it's late during this long, long season,'' Harper said, ``and so we're not playing hard, but we're just going out there and trying to have some fun.''

--Healing time: The two off days will be good not only for O'Neal, but for Derek Fisher (bone spur in left ankle), Robert Horry (sore knees) and others with various untold bumps and bruises.

``It's great to have time off during this late run,'' said Harper, who suffers knee tendinitis. ``This is good for our team. There's some guys who are hurt, guys who need good days off. I'm definitely going to enjoy my days off.''

The Lakers, who already have won home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, have four games left and a chance to tie the club record of 69 wins. They have home games against Sacramento and Minnesota before concluding the season at Dallas and San Antonio.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo: no caption (Shaquille O'Neal going for layup)

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer