LAKERS NOTEBOOK: SEARCHING FOR RESPECT TIMING BAD FOR DEFIANT BRYANT.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

As the Lakers await word on Kobe Bryant's punishment for fighting, the most nagging question is not how many games he'll miss - probably two, maybe more - but why he risked a suspension at all by going after Indiana's Reggie Miller after the final buzzer Friday night.

NBA punishment czar Stu Jackson was investigating the incident Saturday. An announcement is due early today.

Bryant is certain to miss tonight's home game against Houston, and because he threw the first punch, likely will earn a longer sentence. That means Bryant probably will miss Tuesday's home game against New Jersey, and perhaps Wednesday's game at Utah.

His timing is awful. With 25 games to play, the Lakers (40-17) are struggling to catch West leader Sacramento and were already playing short- handed. Starting forward Samaki Walker is out with an injured elbow, and Shaquille O'Neal is limping around on his arthritic big toe.

So why would Bryant jeopardize the Lakers' prospects? That remained unclear Saturday, as the Lakers got a rare day off and therefore were unavailable for comment.

But teammates and others close to the team have observed a more defiant and verbally aggressive Bryant this season.

His language has been more coarse than in the past. He's exuding more bravado and machismo in front of teammates, declaring two weeks ago to reporters, ``There's only two real killers in the league'' - and that he was one of them.

In simple terms, he's demanding the respect he feels he's earned as one of the league's premier stars.

So when teammate Samaki Walker crossed some unknown line during a verbal spat on the team bus 10 days ago, Bryant punched him in the face. And when Miller challenged Bryant verbally Friday, at the conclusion of a physical game, Bryant did not settle for merely talking back. He walked up to Miller and threw a fist at his head.

``That's a grown man,'' teammate Rick Fox said. ``He did what he felt he had to do.''

Fox, who spoke with Bryant briefly afterward, came closest to offering an explanation. It's all about a lack of respect.

``He's sort of fed up with some of the stuff that goes on,'' Fox said. ``This has been a year where we've been faced with a lot of, I guess the word would be `disrespect,' from opponents. We have what they want (the championship), so we've seen a lot of people come in with a lot of different approaches.''

Fox added: ``We go out and do what we do regardless of what people say, and they try to talk sometimes or they foul you hard. And it's very rare that we lose our composure.''

But the Lakers believe referees are allowing opponents far too much latitude on the court, and the physical play often is crossing the line, without being called.

``If you can't beat your opponent the right way, that's something you need to go back to the drawing board and figure out for yourself,'' Fox said. ``Now, if you want to turn it into a boxing match ...''

Which is what Bryant ultimately did, costing his team and himself. In addition to a fine, Bryant will lose one-nineteenth of his salary, or $125,000, for every game he's suspended.

--Miller time: Miller did not comment Saturday. But Pacers officials defended Miller's actions, saying he merely grabbed Bryant and did not return the punch. Coach Isiah Thomas said he would be ``shocked'' if Miller was suspended.

``He didn't do anything,'' Thomas said.

--Down time: Coach Phil Jackson, flustered by Friday's events, ended his ``no-days-off'' edict Saturday. It was the players' first day without a game, practice, film session or flight since Feb. 16.

LAKERS vs. HOUSTON

Tipoff: 6:30 p.m., at Staples Center.

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

Lakers (40-17) update: Kobe Bryant is certain to be suspended, ending his quest to play all 82 games this season. Coach Phil Jackson probably will start Brian Shaw in Bryant's place, but he could opt for Mitch Richmond, or play a small backcourt pairing Derek Fisher with Lindsey Hunter. The Lakers are 3-0 against Houston this season.

Rockets (20-36) update: Their offense is generated almost entirely by the starting guards - Steve Francis (21.9 ppg) and Cuttino Mobley (21.2 ppg). Francis, despite persistent and mysterious migraine headaches, also is leading the team in rebounds (7.4 per game) and assists (6.6).

- Howard Beck

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LAKERS vs. HOUSTON (see text)