Kukoc Struggling from Afar but Stays Confident

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Byline: Kent McDill Daily Herald Sports Writer

Toni Kukoc is 18 of 45 from the field in the playoffs, and 1 of 20 from 3-point range. Those numbers are not representative of Kukoc's talent, and he knows it.

"The shots are wide open," said Kukoc, who was 1 of 8 from the field Sunday but made 5 free throws to score 7 points. "The last month and a half, I was hitting the threes, maybe 40 percent. I think I have to keep shooting the open shots. If I'm going to pass up the open look, that is not good, and is not a part of my game. I just need one or two of them to go in."

Kukoc said he was unaffected by coach Phil Jackson's decision to start Dennis Rodman at …