Horry, Not Green, Expected to Start

On Tuesday night, forward Robert Horry, after missing the last two exhibition games because of a sore left knee, was back where Coach Phil Jackson hopes he’ll stay: The starting lineup.

A.C. Green, 36, has been starting, but Jackson would prefer that the younger, taller Horry, 29, earn the role.

“I don’t want to use A.C. for 30 minutes a game and burn him out early in the year,” Jackson said before the Lakers’ exhibition game in Las Vegas against the Phoenix Suns.

“I think he’s a big advantage for us coming off the bench and his infusion of energy is good for us. From that standpoint, I’d like to see him stabilize the second unit . . .

“And [in the starting lineup] use a little more speed and size perhaps in Robert Horry if possible.”

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Forward Glen Rice and Shaquille O’Neal both busted out of shooting slumps in the Lakers’ 95-73 loss to the Suns.

Before Rice erupted for 13 first-half points en route to 21 on Tuesday, Jackson said that Rice was having difficulty adjusting to the triangle offense.

“He’s struggling mightily to find a comfort place out there,” Jackson said. “His execution, dribbling and ball-handling is still yet to be proficient enough to fit into this system.

“But I’m pleased with his aptitude. He’s starting to kind of get his nose in there and ask what he can do to be more efficient in the offense, really to get his shots. I think that will help him a lot.

“[In the] next week or so we’ll get it going with him.”

Meanwhile, O’Neal, whose free-throw shooting had hovered below 30% all exhibition season, turned it around quickly, making seven of his first eight and finishing 12 of 17 with 26 points.

Devean George had 11 rebounds.

Guard Ron Harper did not play, resting his sore knee, and Green played only in the second half.

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The Lakers will hold their first practice at Staples Center today. . . . Radio analyst Stu Lantz missed another game because of minor throat surgery. Special assistant Kurt Rambis filled in for him again.