Preview: Lakers In Portland

With their sights set on clinching the Pacific division for the first time in 4 years, the Lakers visit the Trail-Blazers tonight, finishing up their final road game of the season.

The Lakers currently hold a 2 game lead on the Phoenix Suns for the lead in the Pacific division — with each team having 5 games left on the season.

“We want to be No. 1 just for the sake of being No. 1, but it ultimately doesn’t matter because wherever you finish in the West, you’re going to have a tough matchup,” said Kobe Bryant on the Lakers’ possible playoff positioning.

The Lakers defeated the Kings Sunday night, winning their 4th consecutive game.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 29 points, shooting 9 of 15 from the field. “The best player in the league came out and just took over,” the Kings’ Kevin Martin said. “He got his team going.”

Luke Walton, who didn’t play Sunday due to a right hamstring strain, is considered day to day for the Lakers, who are already suffering from multiple injuries.

“I thought it was something that was just going to get better,” Walton said. “But the longer it went, the worse it got.”

The Lakers have taken 2 out of 3 games from Portland this season.

Portland Trail-Blazers Starting 5:

Portland Trail-Blazers Injury Report:

Martell Webster: Irregular Heartbeat - DTD
Joel Przybilla: Right Hand - Out
Darius Miles: Right Knee - Out
Greg Oden: Right Knee - Out

L.A. Lakers Starting 5:

L.A. Lakers Injury Report:
Trevor Ariza: Broken Foot - Out
Andrew Bynum: Left Patella Subluxation - Out
Luke Walton: Right Hamstring Strain - DTD

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Time: 7:00pm | TV: KCAL/9 HD | Radio: KLAC AM 570, ESPN 1330

Can the Lakers make it 5 straight wins? How will Lamar Odom matchup with Portland’s front-court? Sound off in our CL.com forums!

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