The Los Angeles Lakers look for their seventh straight win as they host the New Jersey Nets at Staples Center. The Lakers have beaten the Nets six straight times, with their last loss to New Jersey coming November 25, 2007. Tonight marks the triumphant return of guard Sasha Vujacic to Los Angeles.
Vujacic, who was generally ineffective as a Laker but shall forever escape scorn for hitting the title-clinching free throws in last year's Game 7 against the Celtics, was traded to New Jersey on December 15 in a three-team deal including Houston that netted the Lakers Joe Smith and several million dollars in salary cap and luxury tax relief. In 12 games with New Jersey, Vujacic is averaging 11.3 points per game while shooting 40.4% from three-point range.
Another ex-Laker guard returning to Los Angeles is former UCLA Bruin Jordan Farmar, who signed as a free agent in New Jersey last summer. Farmar has struggled this season, averaging 9.8 points per contest while shooting just 38.8% from the field. He scored eight points on 3-for-9 shooting on December 12 against the Lakers, a game won by the Lakers 99-92.
The Nets have lost 16 of their last 17 road games, and are just 3-18 away from home this season. They were 4-37 on the road last season, and are 11-71 in their last 82 road games dating back to the 2008-2009 season.
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