SoCal NBA Preview

LA Lakers (14-9) at Chicago (8-13), 5:30 pm, TNT
CHICAGO (Ticker) - Fans at the United Center wanted to see Kobe Bryant in a Chicago Bulls uniform this season. But he still is a member of the Los Angels Lakers heading into Tuesday's game. During the summer, Bryant requested to be traded, with Chicago mentioned among the possible suitors for the perennial All-Star. But the teams were unable to come an agreement for the two-time scoring champion. Bryant has since backed off his demands to leave Los Angeles. One large reason for Bryant's sutton change of heart could be the growth of third-year center Andrew Bynum, who is averaging 11.0 points and 10.0 rebounds. Most recently, Bryant poured in 32 points and Bynum added 14, nine boards and a season-best six blocks as the Lakers posted a 113-92 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. "I don't know if (Bynum) gets too caught up with individual matchups or who he's playing against," Lakers guard Derek Fisher said. "Right now, I think he's really just focused on improving himself and continuing to show that he's the real deal." Los Angeles is opening a four-game road trip. Chicago won for the sixth time in nine games Friday with a 101-96 triumph over the New York Knicks. Kirk Hinrich collected a triple-double to lead the way. Behind 60 points from their bench, the Lakers coasted to a 106-78 win over the Bulls on November 18.



Toronto (14-11) at LA Clippers (9-14), 7:30 pm
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - The Toronto Raptors open a lengthy seven-game tour against Western Conference foes Tuesday when they meet the Los Angeles Clippers. Before heading West, Toronto had its season-best four-game winning streak stopped, 90-77, by the red-hot Boston Celtics at home on Sunday. Chris Bosh led the charge with 17 points. Bosh enters this one needing just two rebounds to pass Antonio Davis (2,838) on the franchise's all-time list. The 23-year-old Bosh is averaging 8.8 boards this campaign. While the Raptors look to bounce back, Los Angeles hopes to have enough players on the court. With Elton Brand (Achilles), Shaun Livingston (knee) and Sam Cassell (calf) all in street clothes with various injuries, the Clippers could be minus two more players if Tim Thomas (ankle) and Cuttino Mobley (stomach virus) are unable to suit up. "We're undermanned, but we still have to keep fighting," said Los Angeles swingman Corey Maggette, who missed four games last month with a strained hamstring. Despite 27 points from Maggette and another double-double by Chris Kaman, the Clippers still dropped their third game in five outings with Sunday's 113-92 setback to the Los Angeles Lakers.