Lakers gaining ground in Western Conference playoff race

INDIANAPOLIS -- Kobe Bryant rolled his eyes as he was peppered with questions about a possible fourth straight trip to the NBA Finals.

Sure, the Los Angeles Lakers are on a torrid pace, winning 12 of their last 16 games, but all that's gotten them is a 23-23 record.

"We're just trying to get into the playoffs," Bryant said. "We're taking baby steps. We wanted to get to .500 and we're here. Now we have to take another step forward. The Finals? We're not thinking about that too much."

Still, the Lakers are showing signs of playing like the team that swept the New Jersey Nets in last year's finals. That's not good news for any team that considers itself a title contender.

Los Angeles' 97-94 victory over Eastern Conference-leading Indiana on Tuesday was the team's fourth straight, including three road games. They moved within 2 1/2 games of Houston in the race for the final playoff spot in the West.

The Lakers will need a win at New York today to avoid a sub-.500 record at the All-Star break for the first time since 1993-94, when Randy Pfund was the coach.

"I think we're at a point now where we're excited about it," Bryant said. "We're excited about the challenges. We're excited about the opportunity to have a great second half of the season."

The Lakers reached .500 for the first time since Nov. 3, when they were 2-2 and were rallying from an 11-19 record following a Christmas Day loss to Sacramento.

With Shaquille O'Neal getting back in shape after missing the first 12 games of the season because of toe surgery and bench players making more of a contribution, the Lakers have rolled.

Bryant is the one leading he way. He has scored 40, 38, 42 and 35 points in his last four games and ranks second in the league in scoring with a 28.2 average.

He's made it his mission to lead the Lakers, and it's being noticed.

"He's carrying that team as much as he can," Indiana's Brad Miller said. "He's got the talent to do that. He's one of the best players in the league."

Against the Pacers, Bryant made nine of his first 16 shots and had 20 fist-half points. In the third quarter, he missed his first seven shots and O'Neal played only five minutes because of foul trouble.

The Lakers trailed when O'Neal left, but regained the lead by the end of the period. Twice in the fourth quarter, the Pacers pulled within four, then with three points.

It was Derek Fisher and Devean George who hit 3-pointers to seal the win.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said his team has had trouble finding the energy and desire to put games away in the third quarter, resulting in losses to Cleveland, Miami and Golden State.

Taking a lead without O'Neal and a slumping Bryant should provide a boost.

"You have to have confidence in finishing games," Jackson said. "We have not done that well in the early part of the year and that's the reason our record is what is."

That's not the only reason, however.

The Lakers were a team in turmoil early in the season. O'Neal and Bryant questioned the play their teammates and questions arose whether they would even reach the postseason..

If the Lakers reach the playoffs, they'll likely start on the road.

That shouldn't be too much of a problem. The Lakers are only 8-15 on the road, but won their last two championships without the homecourt edge.

"We've shown the last two years that we don't need homecourt advantage," O'Neal said. "We're a pretty good road team and we're showing that now."

The schedule favors the Lakers at the start of the second half. They play 11 of their first 14 games after the break at the Staples Center and have only four games against three teams with sub-.500 records (Clippers, Denver and New York).

Only two teams, the 1998-99 Bulls and the 1969-70 Celtics, have failed to reach the playoffs the year after winning a championship.

Jackson doesn't expect the Lakers to be added to that list.

Entering the All-Star break with a winning record would help extend their momentum.

"We've put a moratorium on celebrating any victories until we're over .500," Jackson said. "If we could possibly win this next one, then we'll feel like we've accomplished something, at least in the last three or four weeks."