Game info: 10:30 pm EDT Wed Apr 2, 2008

The regular season is nearing its end and still no Gasol and Bynum. Kobe is playing with one and one-fourth hands. Fisher has a partially torn tendon in his foot. Why God, why?

Even if the Lakers make the top 3 seeds in the west, are they healthy enough to play what is expected of them come playoff time? I think I hear Shaq praying for the continued bad luck that is happening to the most popular basketball team in the universe. Wait, is that Mike D’Antoni’s voice, praying with Shaq?

As has been their story this season, this Portland team the Lakers are facing is downright dangerous… even without Brandon Roy. The last time this teams met LaMarcus Aldridge, Jarrett Jack and Steve Blake had respectable numbers. Plus, Portland plays the Lakers physical that seems to be a telling weakness of this Laker team.

If I can advice you Kobe, don’t try to beat Portland single-handedly. Play it like your last game - team play. Live and die with the team even if they suck sometimes. You are good Kobe but your are not a god. Give “the Machine” his much needed confidence so that in the end, he will be your Steve Kerr.

One, two, three… LAKES!!!

• Los Angeles (41-17) at Portland (30-28)
• Preview: Los Angeles (37-17) at Los Angeles (19-33)
• Miami (10-45) at Los Angeles (40-17)
• Los Angeles (46-21) at Utah (45-24)
• Memphis (18-53) at Los Angeles (49-23)