The Los Angeles Lakers are in the midst of their annual tradition, a long road trip which takes place while Staples Center prepares for and hosts the Grammy Awards. The Lakers opened the trip with a 101-95 win over the Hornets in New Orleans on Saturday, and continue their seven-game trip with perhaps their toughest week of the season. The Lakers face the always-tough Grizzlies team tonight in Memphis, and end their week with three games in four days against Eastern Conference playoff teams, including facing the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic.
↵Tonight - at Memphis (27-25): The Grizzlies are a half game out of a playoff spot in the West, and are 19-11 over their last 30 games. The Grizzlies have already beaten the Lakers twice this season, so Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and the gang will have their hands full tonight.
↵Thursday - at Boston (38-12): The Celtics handled the Lakers pretty easily on January 30, pulling away in the fourth quarter and limited the Lakers to 10 assists, their lowest total in 51 years. The Lakers look for revenge on TNT against their long-time rivals.
↵Friday - at New York (26-24): The Knicks are a team the Lakers should beat, as they did handily at Staples Center on January 9. However, facing an inspired Madison Square Garden crowd on the second night of back-to-back games will make this a tough contest for L.A.
↵Sunday - at Orlando (32-20): The Magic are just 7-8 in their last 15 games, but with Dwight Howard they are still a force to be reckoned with. ABC will televise this 2009 NBA Finals rematch.
↵For more information on the Lakers, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.