Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - February 1

(Basketball News) - The Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers meet for the first time this season, as the teams square off on Tuesday at the Staples Center.

The teams are scheduled to play two more times this season, as the Blazers will host the Lakers on February 23rd and April 20th at the Rose Garden. LA has won two of the last three contests in this series, while Portland has won three of the last five meetings. The Trail Blazers have lost 11 of their last 14 at the Lakers.

On Sunday, Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins scored 20 points apiece to help lead the Lakers past the Charlotte Bobcats, 101-90, at Staples Center. Chris Mihm finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who halted a three- game losing streak.

Lamar Odom ended with 15 and nine rebounds in Sunday’s victory for LA, which finished 8-of-17 from three-point range, including 7-of-10 in the second half. Frank Hamblen filled in for Lakers head coach Rudy Tomjanovich, who missed the game with the stomach flu.

LA is 20-3 when it allows under 100 points this season. The Lakers are 16-9 as the host.

Butler has scored in double-digits in 12 straight games and has netted 20 or more points in five of those contests. He is averaging 18.4 points and 6.1 boards in his last 12 games and has played 32 or more minutes in his last 15 contests.

Atkins has scored in double-digits in nine straight games and has 38 or more minutes in each of those contests. He is averaging 19.1 points and 5.8 assists on that span.

The Lakers have two more tough games this week, as they will host the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday before visiting the Houston Rockets on Sunday. LA is 0-2 against the Spurs and 2-0 versus the Rockets.

Sunday’s game against Houston is the opener of a five-game road trip. The Lakers are also scheduled to visit the Atlanta Hawks, New Jersey Nets, Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers on the swing.