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Lakers Take Break After Colossal Collapse

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The Associated Press

Published: June 14, 2008

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - A day after the Lakers' colossal collapse in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Coach Phil Jackson canceled practice.

For psychological reasons.

"You know, just in the checking out of how the guys were and how they felt, I just felt it was a good idea," Jackson explained Friday at the team's practice facility. "We have two days to work on the things we need to work on.

"We have guys that are well-conditioned at this time, and we need rest and recuperation in this situation, probably more psychologically than we do physically."

Jackson said he sent the players home after a brief get-together that included watching some of Thursday night's debacle against the Boston Celtics.

"I told them that the series is not over and we want to force the action," said Jackson, whose opportunity for an NBA-record 10th championship ring as a head coach appears to be slipping away - at least for now.

"We watched some tape, we looked at the first half. Obviously we were successful in the first half and did some things that got a lead for us, and I wanted to explain to them that they were the same ballclub, the same personnel that went out there in the second half, and if they can get that kind of a lead, they can maintain that kind of a game if they really put their minds to it."

As Jackson said, the Lakers played a terrific first half Thursday night, and that extended halfway through the third quarter, when they held a 70-50 lead. A second straight victory seemed assured, and the Lakers would have all the momentum heading into Game 5.

Suddenly, the Celtics turned the game around, an especially shocking development since the Lakers were playing at Staples Center, where they had a 9-0 record in the postseason and hadn't lost since March 28.

The Celtics outscored the Lakers 47-21 to finish the game for a 97-91 victory and a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. That's an obstacle no team has overcome in the finals.

Now what? Apparently no lineup or rotation changes.

"No, not at this point," Jackson said. "But we're likely to do - pull out everything as this series goes along."

No telling how long that will be. The Lakers need a win Sunday night at Staples Center and two more in Boston to win their 15th championship and enable Jackson to surpass former Celtics coach Red Auerbach, who also had nine title rings as a head coach.

Jackson said he's counting on the resilience of the players to help them bounce back from the biggest collapse in Finals history since the Elias Sports Bureau began keeping detailed records in the 1970-71 season. The Lakers led by as many as 24 points, 45-21, in the second quarter.

"I don't think there's any doubt that if we had to play this morning, we probably wouldn't feel that great about playing this morning, but fortunately, we're not playing until Sunday, and we'll be back ready to go by Sunday," Jackson said.

CAVALIERS: Have declined permission for center Zydrunas Ilgauskas to play for Lithuania in the Olympics, saying he is a higher-risk player because of his injury history. Ilgauskas needed permission to play because his contract is not fully insured.

HAWKS: Coach Mike Woodson, who in his fourth season led the team to its first playoff berth in nine years, has signed a two-year extension, GM Rick Sund announced.

LEGAL: Lisa Miceli of Meadville, Pa., who says Michael Jordan fathered her child despite two DNA tests to the contrary, has been barred from contacting the basketball great, his family or his representatives.

TV RATINGS: Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night had an 8.7 rating on ABC, down from a 9.2 for Game 3 on Tuesday night. Through four broadcasts, the Finals are averaging an 8.8 rating, up 42 percent from last year's 6.2.

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