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Lakers-Jazz Preview

Feb 10, 2010 - 7:43 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (40-13) at Utah (32-18), 9:00 p.m. EDT

Even at full strength the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers were likely in for a big challenge against the surging Utah Jazz. Facing the West's hottest team without a pair of injured stars figures to make that challenge even more difficult.

With center Andrew Bynum out and the status of Kobe Bryant still uncertain due to a sore left ankle, the visiting Lakers try to snap the Jazz's nine-game winning streak Wednesday night.

Los Angeles (40-13) proved it could win without Bryant (28.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists per game), winning 99-82 at Portland on Saturday and 101-89 over San Antonio on Monday to improve to 55-33 in his career when he does not play. However, the Lakers' task could be truly daunting if their ailing superstar is unable to go against Utah (32-18), which is in the midst of its longest winning streak since taking 12 in a row Feb. 11-March 10.

A victory Wednesday would give the Jazz their 10th double-digit winning streak in franchise history, and ninth under coach Jerry Sloan.

The Lakers' training staff would like Bryant to rest through the upcoming All-Star weekend, but Bryant said he's not ruling out playing Wednesday.

"If I'm ready to go, I'll play," said Bryant, who's averaging 21.5 points, 6.5 assists and 6.0 rebounds in two games against Utah this season.

"If it's an injury where I feel like I can play through it and have it heal while I'm playing, then I'll play. But if it's the type of injury where it's going to get worse when I play, then I won't."

Coach Phil Jackson said Tuesday it's likely Bynum (15.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg) will miss a second straight game due to a bruised right hip.

"Right now he has kind of resigned himself to the fact that (he won't play)," Jackson told the Lakers' official Web site.

Forward Lamar Odom, who's recorded 32 rebounds in his last two contests, underwent a MRI on his sore left foot Tuesday, but is probable for Wednesday.

Facing the likelihood of a thin lineup, the Lakers may rely heavily on All-Star forward Pau Gasol, who had 21 points, 19 boards, eight assists and five blocked shots Monday as the Lakers overcame a 43.7-percent shooting effort by holding their second straight opponent to fewer than 90 points.

"I don't think we're playing that well, but we are winning the games," Jackson said. "We settle in and play good defense. We can shoot the ball better than we are doing."

Shooting wasn't the problem in Los Angeles' 102-94 loss at Utah on Dec. 12. Gasol had 16 points and 20 rebounds as the Lakers shot 46.3 percent, but allowed the Jazz to make 51.9 percent of their shots and avoid a third straight loss to the Lakers.

Utah's Carlos Boozer, who had 12 points with eight rebounds and seven assists in that victory, had 34 points and 14 boards in a 109-99 road win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.

Deron Williams added 13 points with 11 assists as the Jazz won for the 13th time in 14 games overall. Utah is averaging 110.6 points on 52.6 percent shooting during that stretch.

"We're confident and we're having fun," Williams said. "After being in 11th place (in the West) a couple of weeks ago, now we're in third. I think we're playing the way we thought we would play coming into the season."

Headed to his first All-Star Game, Williams had 21 points and 11 assists against the Lakers in the Dec. 12 matchup. He's averaging 28.3 points with 9.2 assists while shooting 58.6 percent in his last four home games versus Los Angeles.