Page 10-The Michigan Daily- Thursday, April 16, 1992 Lakers fight-off elimination as NBA season enters final week DENVER, (AP) - The last time the Los Angeles Lakers failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs, Magic Johnson was in high school and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was in his prime. Now, both are retired and the Lakers are faced with a grueling sea- son-closing stretch of four games in five days in their attempt to reach the postseason for the 16th straight year. Even if they win all four games, it might not do them any good. After facing the hapless Nuggets, who brought an 11-game losing streak into the game at McNichols Arena, the Lakers travel to Sac- ramento to meet the Kings on Thursday night. Then, it's on to Portland for a game with the Pacific Division champion Trail Blazers on Saturday afternoon before finishing up at home Sunday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers entered Wednesday night's action a half-game behind Houston in the battle for the eighth and final Western Conference play- off berth. The Clippers trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 1976 rank seventh, but still could miss out should they falter and the Lakers and Rockets finish strong. The Clippers held a two-game lead over the Rockets and a 2 1/2- game advantage on the Lakers be- fore Wednesday night. Should the Lakers and Rockets finish in a tie, Houston gets the nod because of a better record within the Western Conference. I SHARK Continued from page 8 Tarkanian took a job as color commentator for the Clippers for the remainder of the season. Tarkanian was replaced at UNLV, by Rollie Massimino, who ended a 19-year stand at Villanova on April 1. Tarkanian took UNLV to the Final Four four times, winning the NCAA title in 1990. Tarkanian's team last season won its last 23 games, finished 26-2 and was ranked seventh. UNLV was banned from television and postsea- son tournaments as the final resolu- tion of a 14-year battle betweeno Tarkanian and the NCAA. Tarkanian finished his 19th sea- son at UNLV on March 3. He is the NCAA's winningest coach, by per- centage, with a 624-122 (.836) record. "I always thought that I would get into the NBA near the end of my career," the 61-year-old coach said. Tarkanian said he had "put out a feeler" when the Spurs' job came open in January. He and McCombs said the deal came together in the past few days. "This was a well-kept secret," Tarkanian said. "Usually you can't keep a secret." The Spurs have struggled with injuries and currently are without Robinson, who recently had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. The Michigan Daniy NEWS * SPORTS * ARTS * PHOTO * OPINION Spurs center David Robinson will begin playing under former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian next season. READ IT WRITE FOR IT RECYCLE IT THE MICHIGAN DAILY 764-0552 Chicago's biggest heartbreaker is about to meet his match Rodgers & Hart's sizzling look at the 30s nightclub scene Musical Theatre Program - Power Center Apr.16--18at8P;Apr.19at2PM. Student seating is $6 with ID at the League Ticket Office - LSAT, GMAT, GRE & MCAT Prep Courses - Grad School Selection & Counseling * Free Diagnostic Test * Enrichment Courses ing & Analysis London ' $525* Paris $655* Madrid $715* Munich $655* Zurich $715* *Fares are roundtrip from Detroit. Fares start, April 1 thrnJune15.Taxes not included, and restrcions apply 1220 S. University Avenue STE 208 Ann Abor, M 48104 313-998-0200 Ann Arbor Center 1220 South University 741-1699 The U-M School of Music El _ -U V I l MICHIGAN WHEREHOUSE 1140 S. University Ann Arbor 663-5800 MICHIGAN WHEREHOUSE 1148 Paka Plaza Jackson 784-6105 SCHOOL KIDS RECORDS 523 E. Liberty Ann Arbor 994-8031 0 111 . U I I I 1FEAURING"COME A LONG WAY" AND "33 RPM SOUL"