TV: ESPN
- The Los Angeles Lakers have a 19 game winning streak against Minnesota, their longest active win streak against a single opponent. But they have struggled lately, accumulating only five victories over their last 16 games. They are also only 5-16 on the road this season. Minnesota has struggled recently as well. They come into this game losers of 10 of their last 11 games, with their sole victory in the last four weeks coming on January 19 vs. Houston.
- Lakers will be without the services of Dwight Howard tonight. He aggravated a torn labrum in his right shoulder on Wednesday in Phoenix and returned to Los Angeles today to undergo a PRP (platlet rich plasma) procedure tomorrow. Starting in his absence will be Pau Gasol. He will be called on to guard Nikola Pekovic. After a slow start, Pekovic is averaging 18.1 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game in his last 19 outings. He had only 13.6 ppg and 7.1 rpg in his first 16 games.
- Minnesota is in the second game of a six game homestand, their longest stretch at home in 12 years. They dropped the opening game of their homestand to the Clippers, 96-90.
– Jim Beilby
