Bryant’s Balancing Act Returns

And still Kobe Bryant’s life inches forward.

Today, a day after one of his most balanced games of the playoffs, he will attend the first of three consecutive days of pretrial hearings in Eagle, Colo., a period in which he is expected to enter a not-guilty plea on the felony sexual-assault charge against him.

Team officials said Bryant will fly this morning and return each night, his usual pattern.

He will miss today’s practice and expects to return in time Tuesday night for Game 4, a 7:30 p.m. start, then probably meet the team in San Antonio on Wednesday, missing that day’s practice as well. Game 5 is Thursday night.

Bryant has flown back from Eagle and played on three previous occasions, once last series against the Houston Rockets, and the Lakers have won all three games.

But as each hearing comes, the games become more critical, and Bryant’s absence potentially ever more damaging.

“Anytime in the playoffs is difficult,” Coach Phil Jackson said Sunday. “But, yes, this is as difficult as it can get.

“I think we know how critical it is. We’ve put it in our scopes. He’s going to have to deal with it on an individual level.”

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Gary Payton came off the floor in the fourth quarter to an ovation, some of it standing, all of it appreciated

After being outscored, 50-11, in the first two games of the series and hearing about it, Payton was part of a Laker defense that was more attentive to Spur guard Tony Parker.

He also got his wish to occasionally post Parker, so he scored 15 points, his high for this postseason, and his seven assists led everyone.

“I know how to play this game,” Payton said.

A day later, Payton’s Saturday afternoon rant still lingered, and Jackson would not fault him for it.

“Gary’s going to stand on his hind legs and bark,” he said. “If he gets a chance to defend himself, he’s going to come back like that.”

In case anybody missed the point, Payton said, “I was just stating what I felt. That’s all it was. ... Everybody helps everybody. It’s not Gary Payton against San Antonio.”

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Rick Fox’s lip, cut in Saturday’s practice, required one stitch to close. ... Jackson favorite Ron Harper was in the locker room before the game and sat behind the bench during it.