This Trio Isn’t Exactly Playing Like Big Three

Behind the Lakers’ big three--Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Glen Rice--several key offensive players have been struggling with their shooting.

Ron Harper, who is expected to be put on the injured list soon, is shooting 38.1%; Derek Fisher 34.8%; and Rick Fox 41.2%.

That trio made only one of 11 shots in the one-point victory at Sacramento on Sunday, and in the Lakers’ six-game winning streak, the three are averaging fewer than four baskets combined.

“It’s a concern,” said assistant coach Jim Cleamons. “But as long as they keep playing in other areas, you work your way out of it.

“If you don’t sit around and bow your head and make it an issue, sooner or later you get a layup or a tipin. You don’t focus on what’s not happening and focus on what is. That’s how you work your way out of those slumps.”

In the Lakers’ triangle offense, Cleamons said, players with open shots have to shoot, or else disrupt the team’s rhythm.

“They have to continue to take the shots that are open to them, because even if they miss that shot, our team expects them to take the shot--consequently, our people are going to the boards in an offensive-rebound pattern,” Cleamons said.

“If they shy away from that shot, then that blows the rhythm. Even if they’re missing, they should take it, and they should take it with confidence.

“Shooting is rhythm, and you feel comfortable in taking it. If not, then it’s Coach [Phil Jackson’s] decision if he wants to continue to play you. There’s no extra pressure, it’s just pressure put on themselves.”

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With the Portland Trail Blazers’ loss and the Lakers’ victory Sunday, the Lakers’ magic number to clinch home-court advantage through the playoffs is six.

Any combination of Portland defeats and Laker victories that adds up to six will give the Lakers the best record in the league, the Pacific Division title, the No. 1-seeding in the Western Conference playoffs and home-court advantage.