Lakers visit Atlantic-leading Nets

Los Angeles, which is 1-1 so far on its six-game road swing, lost at Chicago in Tuesday’s opener of the trip before rebounding with a 111-94 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves the following day. Kobe Bryant scored 24 points to help the Lakers end a two-game overall losing streak.

Vladimir Radmanovic had 17 points and Maurice Evans added 15 points for the Lakers, who are two games behind the red-hot Phoenix Suns in the Pacific Division standings. Evans and Radmanovic combined for 16 points during a 25-2 spurt in the fourth quarter as LA erased a 12-point deficit in the period.

The Lakers will also visit Miami, Orlando and Charlotte on the trek and are 4-5 away from the Staples Center this season.

Meanwhile, the Atlantic Division-leading Nets have won two in a row and are 2-1 on a four-game homestand. On Wednesday they notched a 113-111 triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Continental Airlines Arena.

Vince Carter had 38 points, six rebounds and five assists while Nenad Krstic added 18 points for the Nets, who have won four of their last six contests. Richard Jefferson netted 14 points and also pulled down five boards in the win.

Jason Kidd finished with nine points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as the Nets improved to 8-8 at home this season. New Jersey owns a slim half-game lead over both Toronto and Boston in the division.

Los Angeles defeated the Nets, 99-93, November 26 at the Staples Center to snap a two-game series losing streak. New Jersey has won three of the last five meetings with Los Angeles, which has dropped three of its last five visits to Continental Airlines Arena.