LAKERS NOTEBOOK: EXTRA REST AWAITS L.A.

Byline: Howard Beck Daily News Staff Writer

With their dominant Game 2 victory over the Houston Rockets, the Lakers did more Tuesday than just boost their confidence and take control of the best-of-five series. They got a potential jump on their second-round opponent.

Not that the Lakers want to assume anything, but if they can knock out the Rockets tonight, they'll assure themselves a trip home and a few extra days to prepare for the winner of the Minnesota-San Antonio series.

The Timberwolves evened that series at 1-1 on Tuesday, forcing at least a fourth game.

``If we do get a chance to wrap the series up (tonight), and the T-Wolves and Spurs go a couple games more, I don't necessarily like that many days in between games,'' Derek Fisher said, ``but I like the fact we'll be able to practice and concentrate on what we have to do to get better.''

As much as the Lakers have benefited from regular practice sessions the last few weeks - something they didn't have all year - the extra days would be valuable, coach Kurt Rambis said.

``It's always nice to have a breather,'' he said, ``but the antithesis of that is you get too much time off, and guys get a little complacent. We're definitely gonna try and take advantage of our situation, but this series in my mind is far from being over.''

Derek Harper said the Lakers know they can't get too comfortable.

``I guarantee you, the team we played (Tuesday) night won't be in Houston (tonight). It won't be the same team. They've had time to soak it up and lay in the mess that they put out there (Tuesday) night. . . . It would shock me if (tonight's) game isn't a closer, tougher type of a basketball game.''

But the Lakers are confident.

``I think we can beat them,'' Harper said. ``I really feel like we're a better basketball team, the way we're playing right now, than a lot of teams out there.''

Ouch report: Kobe Bryant was suffering from a possible virus Wednesday but said he'll be OK tonight.

``I think I'm getting a little sick,'' Bryant said, his voice hoarse. ``I had a little stomach virus (Tuesday) night. I was a little slow. . . . I'll be fine.''

SCHEDULE

Lakers vs. Houston

(Lakers lead series 2-0)

Lakers 101, Houston 100

Lakers 110, Houston 98

Today: at Houston, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday (x): at Houston, TBA

Monday (x): at Lakers, TBA

(x) if necessary.

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX: SCHEDULE (see text)