Kobe and Co. take a trip to Jersey

This is the second and final meeting of the season between the squads. On November 27th, Jason Kidd scored a season-high 35 points, including five in overtime, to lift the Nets to a 102-96 win over the Lakers at the Staples Center.

The Lakers have won two straight after losing their last two at New Jersey.

New Jersey plays the middle contest of a three-game homestand. All-Star Vince Carter scored a game-high 26 points and Portland set several records for offensive futility during a five-point fourth quarter, as New Jersey defeated the Trail Blazers, 78-65, at Continental Airlines Arena.

Richard Jefferson posted 22 points and nine rebounds, while Nenad Krstic added 20 points and five rebounds in the win over Portland for New Jersey, which has won eight of its last 13 games overall.

The Nets are 20-9 as the host this season. They are scheduled to host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday at the Meadowlands.

Los Angeles attempts to win back-to-back games as it opens a three-game road trip this evening. Kobe Bryant scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half, including four in the final minute, as the Lakers downed the slumping Minnesota Timberwolves, 92-89, on Wednesday at the Staples Center.

Lamar Odom posted a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds while dishing out eight assists and Kwame Brown added 13 points and nine rebounds in the win over Minnesota for the Lakers, who halted a two-game losing streak.

The Lakers, who will also visit Cleveland and Boston on the current swing, are 16-19 as the visitor this season.