RESERVE STRENGTH LAKERS HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH TO EASILY BEAT WARRIORS LAKERS 119, G. STATE 96.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

Notice was served officially at Staples Center on Wednesday night, for those who hadn't yet gotten the memo: The NBA dog days of spring have officially arrived.

The Lakers did their best to simulate meaningful basketball in a game lacking any sense of intrigue, but that was the one feat they couldn't accomplish.

Against the Golden State Warriors, it was enough just to avoid injuries, get the starters a long breather and walk away with a 119-96 rout.

What the game lacked in providing entertainment, it made up for in furthering the Lakers' greater goals: The victory, coupled with Portland's loss to Detroit, pushed the Lakers' lead over the rival Trail Blazers to six games, with 13 left to play.

The Lakers (57-12) have won four in a row, 11 straight at Staples, 23 of their last 24 overall and have not lost to a Western Conference opponent since Feb. 1.

``We needed a game like this, just to rest,'' said Kobe Bryant, who then added with a chuckle, ``Gotta kick our legs up.''

That was a popular sentiment on the Lakers bench, which was unfortunate, since the bench was needed to protect a 22-point fourth-quarter lead. But the Lakers reserves, in their longest run in months, struggled a bit with their charge, allowing the Warriors to knock the margin down to 11 before pulling away again.

Coach Phil Jackson, determined to rest Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and the rest of his starters, left the reserves in despite the near mishap.

``I would have taken a loss, I do that once in awhile,'' Jackson said. ``It was their game to win or lose. They got a lead, they had to go out there and play it. . . . Golden State came out, played physical, they started playing hard and our players wanted to not have to get down and play that hard at that time. The referees were bored with the game, too; they wanted to make it fun.''

Brian Shaw, celebrating his 34th birthday, scored 12 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to lead the late charge. Rick Fox also scored 14 off the bench and Travis Knight collected a season-high 10 rebounds before fouling out.

It was a little more drama than the starters wanted to see, but O'Neal - averaging close to 40 minutes a game - was grateful to play a mere 23 minutes, his lowest in any game this season for a game in which he wasn't ejected.

``I was kind of happy that the guys came in and gave me a lot of rest,'' said O'Neal, who scored 22 points and was forgiving of the bench's brief letdown. ``It was a long, boring game, and it happens. It's hard to keep a 30-, 40-point lead. But a win is a win.''

Against the Warriors (17-50), the Lakers didn't figure to be tested - and indeed, they led by as many as 34 points in the third quarter. But Jackson had expected explosive guard Larry Hughes - who scorched the Lakers for 41 points two weeks ago - to at least make things interesting by giving Bryant a challenge.

Give Hughes credit for trying. He scored 26 points on 8-of-22 shooting. But Bryant was resting comfortably on the bench for most of it as the Lakers established the rout early and sat on it.

Did Bryant want to get back on the floor to shut Hughes down? He only smiled sheepishly at the thought.

``A little bit,'' he said. ``Phil likes messing with me sometimes.''

Bryant finished with 18 points in 28 minutes - the longest run of any starter. Glen Rice added 17 points before sitting to rest his strained left Achilles' tendon, which he said was ``acting up a little.''

It didn't take long for Jackson to turn the game over to his bench. By the time the Lakers opened the second quarter - already leading 37-19 - Bryant was the only starter on the floor. Less than two minutes later, he was on the bench, too.

``I'm happy we had a game like this tonight,'' Jackson said. ``It was a perfect opportunity for us to play everybody. . . . It wasn't pretty, but there were times it was a good game.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Kobe Bryant of the Lakers heads toward the basket while being guarded by the Warriors' Larry Hughes on Wednesday night at Staples Center.

(2) Kobe Bryant goes up for a slam dunk during the Lakers' game with the Golden State Warriors.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

Box: GAME RECAP