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Arenas, Wizards look for season sweep of Bryant, Lakers

Feb 3, 2007 - 6:04 PM LA Lakers (28-19) at Washington (27-18) 7:00 pm EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Superstar Kobe Bryant said he wasn't impressed with Gilbert Arenas' performance in the first matchup. This time around, maybe Arenas can change his mind.

Arenas and the Washington Wizards go for their fourth win in five games when they welcome in the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

In their first encounter, Arenas buried the Lakers for a franchise-best 60 points as the Wizards pulled out a 147-141 overtime triumph at Staples Center on December 17.

On Wednesday, Washington had its three-game winning streak ended with a 119-109 loss at Toronto despite 27 points from Arenas.

Wizards coach Eddie Jordan and forward Caron Butler both will be headed to Las Vegas to join Arenas for the 2007 NBA All-Star game to represent the Eastern Conference.

"It is exciting and a great honor," Jordan said. "It is going to be a terrific weekend."

"I wanted to cry, but there were too many men around, so I held it in and slept it off," said Butler, who was picked as a reserve on Thursday. "I am very happy and excited about the news that coach (Jordan) will be coaching the game. It is real big to have the Wizards represented in Las Vegas."

The Lakers will try to bounce back from their 95-84 defeat at Indiana on Friday. Bryant and Smush Parker combined for 42 points in the setback.

With a win, the Wizards would wrap up their second season series sweep over Los Angeles in three years.