The Los Angeles Lakers, well rested after three days off, open a five-game homestand tonight against the Utah Jazz, whom they have beaten 16 straight times at Staples Center. The Lakers are 11-3 since Andrew Bynum moved into the starting lineup (and Lamar Odom playing like an All-Star, off the bench), including 7-1 at home. The Jazz, meanwhile, have lost the first four games of a dreadful five-game road trip.
The Lakers have beaten the Jazz 16 straight times in Los Angeles, including eight times in the regular season and eight times in the playoffs. The Lakers have dispatched Utah in the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. All-time at Staples Center, dating back to the 2000-2001 season, the Lakers are 18-3 against the Jazz. The Lakers lost to the Jazz in Utah on November 26.
Utah's last seven road games have included six losses and an overtime win against the Rockets in which the Jazz at once trailed by 16 points. The Jazz are 6-12 when allowing 100 points this season, and have allowed 100 points six times in their last nine games (they are 1-5 in those six games).
For more information on tonight's game, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.