Lakers continue trip in Minnesota

Los Angeles has dropped two in a row and suffered a 99-94 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday in the opener of the swing. Kobe Bryant had 31 points and Brian Cook tallied 22 points and 14 boards for the Lakers, who are 13-17 on the road this season and 3-8 over the last 11 games.

Los Angeles was playing its first game without forward Lamar Odom, who is out indefinitely with a torn left labrum suffered on Friday. The Lakers will also visit Milwaukee and Philadelphia on their trip, and currently sit sixth overall in the Western Conference standings.

The Lakers are also 13 games behind Phoenix in the Pacific Division.

Meanwhile, Minnesota has dropped three straight and six of its last seven games, including Sunday’s 124-117 double-overtime loss to the Boston Celtics at TD Banknorth Garden.

Former Celtic Ricky Davis recorded 35 points and nine assists, while Kevin Garnett posted a triple-double with 33 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for the Timberwolves, who are 3 1/2 games off the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Minnesota will try to work on its 17-13 home record this evening, and is 14 1/2 games off the lead in the Northwest standings.

Tuesday’s showdown between Los Angeles and Minnesota is the third of four meetings this season. The Lakers are 2-0 so far in the series and will host the Timberwolves at the Staples Center on March 18. They have won three straight and six of the last 10 meetings.

Los Angeles ended a two-game losing streak at Minnesota with a win on December 20 this season at the Target Center.