LAKERS NOTEBOOK: ON THE DEFENSIVE : LAKERS' RENEWED FOCUS HAS THEM WINNING AGAIN.

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

Last week it was Robert Horry, pounding Portland with a season-high 22 points. Sunday it was Rick Fox, squashing Seattle with big plays down the stretch. Monday, it was Glen Rice (22 points) and Kobe Bryant (10 assists) dispatching Dallas.

The Lakers have won three straight, their rhythm has returned, and Shaquille O'Neal seemingly has found help just in time for the playoffs. But the reason for the outstanding offense and breakout performances lies on the other end of the court, with a renewed dedication to defense.

``It all starts with our defense, as evidenced by the last few games,'' Lakers point guard Derek Fisher said. ``The defense turns into offense. We're never going to be great at executing or being a half-court offensive team, but if we get stops and turnovers and rebounds, that gives us more opportunities to score.

``Everybody's giving extra effort to be better on defense.''

In their lengthy team meeting last week after the embarrassing losses to Houston and San Antonio, the Lakers covered every subject imaginable - from contracts to opponents to relationships and paychecks. And they spent a good portion of the day discussing defense - or lack thereof.

Two days later, they held Portland to 40 percent shooting. They held Seattle to 37.5 percent Sunday. And Dallas managed just 15 points in the decisive third quarter Monday.

They're communicating. They're rotating. They're watching each other's back. Bryant, Fisher, O'Neal, even Rice.

No, make that especially Rice, the sharp-shooting small forward whose porous defense received more attention than his errant jumper during the losing days of March and April.

``Glen's defense has been phenomenal,'' Lakers coach Kurt Rambis said. ``It's been a major pleasant surprise for us.''

Said Rice: ``If we're going to be a championship team, we have to focus on defense first. We've tried to do that the past week.''

Home or road? The Lakers are taking a detached approach to the home-court advantage competition with Houston.

``I don't see Houston wallowing in self-pity if they don't get it, and I don't see us doing that, either,'' Rambis said.

But the Lakers are thrilled to conclude the regular season against Portland, which has won two of three meetings.

``I think it's good we close out the season against a formidable opponent like Portland,'' Fisher said. ``It's an opportunity once again to gauge where we are.''

Easy day: The Lakers gathered for an 11 a.m. video session Tuesday. After 30 minutes, Rambis was so impressed he gave the veterans the rest of the day off. Meanwhile, he played three-on-three with the younger guys.

``We've gotten to the point where guys are seeing the video and acknowledging their mistakes. They're saying, `I should have passed one more time.' They're even jokingly getting on someone when something goes wrong.

``Their willingness to accept constructive criticism is a real good sign.''

LAKERS vs. PORTLAND

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., at the Forum.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports West; KLAC-AM (570).

Tickets: Sold out.

Lakers (30-19) update: It's Day 90 and Game 50 of the briefest season in NBA history. The Lakers wrap it up with their final regular-season game at the Great Western Forum. . . . This is their fourth game against Portland in the last 23 days. After losing the first two in Portland, the Lakers routed the Blazers 108-89 last week at the Forum.

Trail Blazers (35-14) update: In a break for the Lakers, the Blazers are playing the second night of a back-to-back after hosting San Antonio on Tuesday night. Portland has lost some steam: Heading into Tuesday, the Blazers had lost seven of their last 15 games.

- Howard Beck

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BOX: LAKERS vs. PORTLAND (see text)