Lakers headed for crucial stretch

The Lakers will host 18 of their final 30 games in the campaign. They return from the All-Star break to play the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday at the Staples Center.

It is the second meeting of the season between the Lakers and Portland. On January 11th, Juan Dixon poured in 27 points and dished out six assists to lead the Trail Blazers to a 113-103 win over the Lakers at the Rose Garden. Portland has won the last two contests in this series, while the home team has won 14 of the last 17 meetings. The Trail Blazers have lost seven of eight and 12 of their last 15 at the Lakers.

The Lakers play the fourth of a five-game homestand on Tuesday. They are 1-2 on the stand. On February 15th, Josh Smith finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Lakers, 114-110, at the Staples Center.

All-Star Kobe Bryant finished with 39 points and nine assists in the loss to the Hawks for the Lakers, who have dropped six of their last eight games overall. Lamar Odom netted 17 and Devean George ended with 16 points in defeat.

Bryant, who is averaging a league-best 35.0 points per game, has scored over 20 points in 32 straight outings. An eight-time All-Star, Bryant is also averaging 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per contest.

LA is 13-10 as the host this season. The Lakers are scheduled to host Mike Bibby and the Sacramento Kings on Thursday in the finale of the current stand.

The Lakers will play the Kings for the second time this season. On January 19th, Bibby scored 40 points and Kenny Thomas posted his first career triple- double, as Sacramento outlasted the Lakers, 118-109, in an overtime thriller at ARCO Arena.

Odom leads the Lakers in rebounding (9.2 rpg) and assists (5.3 apg). He is second on the club in scoring (13.9 ppg).