Lakers welcome slumping Timberwolves to Staples Center

Minnesota plays the fifth of a six-game road trip. On Monday, Chris Kaman finished with 24 points and a career-high 23 rebounds, as the Los Angeles Clippers handed the Timberwolves a 95-87 loss at Staples Center.

Ricky Davis led the way with 20 points in the loss to the Clippers for the Timberwolves, who have dropped 12 of their last 16 games overall. Mark Blount ended with 18 points and Kevin Garnett netted 13 points and pulled down 16 boards for Minnesota.

The Timberwolves, who are scheduled to visit the Golden State Warriors on Thursday at The Arena in Oakland, are a brutal 8-23 as the visitor this season.

Los Angeles attempts to halt a two-game losing streak. On Wednesday, Mike Bibby had 29 points and Ron Artest netted 28, as the Sacramento Kings pulled away to beat the Lakers, 114-98, at ARCO Arena.

Kobe Bryant scored 30 points in the loss to Sacramento for the Lakers. Bryant also had seven rebounds and seven assists, but shot just 12-of-28 from the field. Lamar Odom added 24 points and seven assists, as the Lakers lost their second straight.

Bryant, who is averaging a league-best 35.0 points per game, has scored over 20 points in 45 straight games.

The Lakers are 17-13 as the host this season. They have dropped two in a row at home.

This is the fourth and final meeting of the season between the clubs. In the three previous contests, the Timberwolves won a pair of contests at the Target Center and defeated the Lakers, 113-108, on December 2nd at the Staples Center.

Minnesota, which has won four in a row in this series, has won two straight after losing its last two at the Lakers. These teams have split the last six meetings at the Staples Center.