Shaq, Lakers Dominate Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers had all summer to think about their stunning playoff collapse against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Blazers' latest defeat will stay with them until mid-December, the next time the teams meet to renew a rivalry that is growing increasingly one-sided.

Los Angeles began defense of its title with an effort that wasn't exactly worthy of a champion. Still, the Lakers' season-opening 96-86 victory Tuesday night dismissed talk about the Blazers being ready to challenge Los Angeles for supremacy in the Western Conference.

"On paper, we have a fabulous team, the best team I've ever played on," said Shaquille O'Neal, who had 36 points and 11 rebounds. "We beat a great Portland team. We realize that we are going to be in their way, and they're going to be in our way."

For all its hype, the most eagerly anticipated of the 13 opening-night games generally failed to live up to that drama. The Lakers committed 20 turnovers, and their sloppy play in the third quarter let the Blazers come back to tie it at 67 heading into the fourth.

Portland was without center Arvydas Sabonis, who is out at least the next few weeks with an injured left knee, and lost Scottie Pippen in the first quarter. Pippen stepped on an official's foot, spraining his left knee, and left with 5:02 to go in the perioand didn't return.

"You take one of the great defenders off the floor and it makes a big difference," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

While the injuries could keep Portland from reaching its potential until weeks into the season, the Lakers look even more dominant because of the players they added.

Isaiah Rider, a troublesome distraction to his three previous teams, made big contributions Tuesday night, scoring 13 points. And power forward Horace Grant, acquired from Seattle in the Patrick Ewing deal, had eight rebounds and held his own guarding Rasheed Wallace.

"I've never had a center that demands double- and triple-teams," Rider said of O'Neal. "And then, he still gets big numbers. It's sweet just sit out there, set your feet, sit on a 3. I shot the ball real well, but I give myself a `B' grade for the game. I just wanted to get the ball into Shaq."

Wallace scored 26 points to lead the Blazers, and Steve Smith had 22.

Smith's layup got the Blazers within 72-71 with 9:17 remaining, but the Lakers ran off six straight points. Rider's 13-foot jumper gave Los Angeles a 78-71 lead, and his 3-pointer made it 85-77 with 3:32 left. Rider also grinned at the sellout crowd after swiping the ball from Greg Anthony and driving for a dunk.

Rider, who wore out his welcome in Minnesota and Portland, was waived by the Hawks last season. The Lakers saved his career by signing him for the veterans' minimum of $700,000. He said he'll make the most of this opportunity.

"I don't think this is the crossroads, but I think I need to take advantage of this opportunity," Rider said. "Only a dumb man wouldn't take advantage of this."

The Blazers opened the second quarter with a 9-0 run to take a 31-27 lead, before O'Neal went to work, scoring 13 points in the final six minutes and hitting all five of his field goals. He made 14 of 20 shots in the game.

The Blazers bulked up by adding Shawn Kemp and Dale Davis specifically with the idea of stopping O'Neal, but they got little production at either end of the floor from their big men. Kemp had four points on 2-of-9 shooting and committed four fouls in just 12 minutes; Davis had two points on 1-of-4 shooting and had five fouls to go with six rebounds.

"Shaq made some big shots, but our double teams were late and soft," Portland coach Mike Dunleavy said. "If he gets the ball deep, there's not much you can do about it."

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