LAKERS NOTEBOOK: JACKSON ISN'T TOO WORRIED ABOUT RICE'S SHOOTING SLUMP.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

An upper respiratory infection knocked Glen Rice out of Sunday night's game. It's still unclear what illness has sapped him of his jump shot.

The Lakers' purported shooting ace is making just 41.9 percent of his field-goal attempts and has hit two fewer 3-pointers than Derek Fisher. And he's only been getting worse of late.

Over the past five games, Rice has shot 35.2 percent from the field and is 4 for 16 from 3-point range. That includes a 5 for 15 performance Saturday at Vancouver, where he was 0 for 3 behind the arc.

``I thought he had three shots that could have stayed in as well as came out,'' coach Phil Jackson said, ``so that makes a big difference in a shooter in a game like that.''

Jackson seemed unconcerned about Rice's jumper, but can't claim the same about his troubles taking it to the rack.

``He's not finishing at the hoop on drives as well as he can, although he dunked one the other day that showed he can get to that place to finish if he gathers himself,'' Jackson said. ``His shooting percentage has not been good and he's the first one to admit it, but he finds a way to get the scoring done and help us out.''

Rice has done that by getting to the foul line, where he's gone 33 for 36 over the last five games while averaging 17.0 points.

Though the shooting slump started in November, Rice also has had to adjust to getting fewer opportunities with Kobe Bryant back.

``It does take time,'' Jackson said. ``I just think rhythm-wise it's something he's got to work with, find out where the shots are going to come from so he's ready and prepared.''

Rookie Devean George took Rice's place in the lineup and made his first NBA start. Jackson could have used former starter Rick Fox but chose to keep his rotation intact.

His Airness arrives: Michael Jordan attended Sunday night's game as a guest of Jerry Buss and watched from the Lakers owner's luxury suite, next to executive vice president Jerry West.

Jordan powwowed with Jackson behind closed doors before tipoff but did not make himself available to reporters camped outside the coach's dressing room.

Ouch report: Ron Harper, hampered by a badly bruised left quadriceps suffered Saturday when Grizzlies center Bryant Reeves kneed him, was able to start Sunday's game despite the lingering effects.

``It's sore,'' he said. ``There's a nice knot in there.''

Stat watch: Shaquille O'Neal has taken over the NBA scoring lead, thanks to the long layoff of Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson. Iverson, out injured most of the month, no longer has played the minimum number of games to qualify for the scoring lead. O'Neal slid into the lead with 28.3 points per game.