READY TO ANSWER DESTINY'S CALL LAKERS WIN, GET PUSH INTO LEAD LAKERS 105, PORTLAND 100.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

Two years of dancing around each other, bumping into each other and, occasionally, wrestling one another to the hardwood have made for a relationship between the Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers that is at once both respectful and snarly. As bitter as old rivals, as familiar as old friends.

So it was no wonder then that amid the smack-talking and the shoving, the all-out battle down to the wire - of course, as per usual - that there was still room for some pleasantries Sunday afternoon: A kind ``How are you?'' and then, in the end, ``Oh, and see you soon.''

The Lakers, showing an edge reminiscent of last year's playoffs, and a steadiness that bodes well for next week's playoffs, beat down the Blazers 105-100 before a playoff-volume crowd at Staples Center.

With Sacramento losing Sunday night at Phoenix, the Lakers moved into first place by a half-game over the Kings in the Pacific Division. If the teams are tied at the end of the season, the Lakers would maintain an advantage as a result of winning the season series from Sacramento.

The Lakers bested a Portland team that long has served as their gauge, and the team that will probably provide their first-round playoff test.

By quirk of the NBA schedule, and by virtue of the standings, a reunion next weekend is likely. So this wasn't good-bye so much as 'till next time.

``I told Smitty (Steve Smith), I'll see you in a couple days,'' Rick Fox said. ``I kind of feel like we'll see them. I'm sure it's what the NBA wants, it's what the Portland Trail Blazers want, in terms of the taste left in their mouth last year.''

Fox was referring to the taste of Portland's Game 7 collapse in the conference finals, but Sunday's rematch did nothing to cleanse the Blazers' palate. If anything, it was a detailed refresher course on why the Lakers won then, and why they appear capable of another stunning championship run.

Portland pushed the Lakers right down to the wire, holding a 100-99 lead with less than two minutes to play. But the Lakers were once again the better clutch performers, scoring the last six points of the game and making all the key stops.

There were big games from all the star performers, but the Lakers' were simply better. Shaquille O'Neal, rounding into MVP form, had 33 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and an 11-for-16 night at the foul line. Kobe Bryant dished out seven assists to go with 25 points. And the Lakers got better support from the supporting cast - 14 points from Fox and 21 from Derek Fisher.

``We've been here many times over the past couple years, so we know what it takes now to close out a game,'' O'Neal said. ``And we know it's all about us, playing smart, taking the smart shots, being very intense on defense. These last seven games, we've been doing that.''

The Lakers' winning streak is up to a season-best seven, and they can close out with an 8-0 run by beating Denver here Tuesday.

If that's followed by a quick reunion with Portland, the Lakers say, so be it. The teams remain on track to match up as either the third and sixth seeds, or perhaps the second and seventh.

``It seems like destiny has us moving toward Portland in the playoffs,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

There was as much resignation as anything in Jackson's voice, because the Blazers, though underachieving, remain as tough an opponent for the Lakers as there is.

``As you can see, indicative of today's game, if we play them in a five-game series it's going to be all-out war,'' said Fisher.

Same as it ever was.

Portland took its last lead, 100-99, on a Rasheed Wallace free throw with 1:59 left, but he missed his second attempt. And though Wallace scored 28 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, he did not score from the field in the final 8 minutes, missing a key 3-pointer down the stretch.

The Lakers answered back quickly, with Bryant dishing to O'Neal for a 10-foot jumper. Robert Horry put the game away with a 3-pointer from the right corner, and Fisher raised his fists triumphantly as the fans got on their feet and the entire Lakers bench rose to celebrate during the timeout.

``It was big from the standpoint that we want to send them a message that they can't defeat us at home,'' Bryant said.

There were plenty of observations about playoff-type intensity and playoff tuneups, but Fisher kindly disagreed.

``The playoffs started last week, as far as I'm concerned,'' he said. ``I like the way we've responded.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) SNEAK PREVIEW?

Lakers reclaim Pacific division lead by downing Portland 105-100 in what could be a dress rehearsal for the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Associated Press

(2) Portland's Arvydas Sabonis, left, tries to keep the Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal from getting to the basket Sunday at Staples Center.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

Box: LAKERS 105, TRAIL BLAZERS 100