Lakers seize the day (off) to look ahead

Finally, there was some rest, with more on the way for the Lakers.

Their every-other-day game schedule ended as soon as they finished off the Utah Jazz on Monday.

Their reward was a day off Tuesday and some choices that went beyond shooting either free throws or outside shots after practice.

Lamar Odom joked that he would attend a Dodgers or Angels game Tuesday before admitting he would probably be in front of the TV watching Houston play Portland. (Not to mention that both local baseball teams were out of town.)

For other players, it was a chance to unwind. For Luke Walton, it was more than that, a day of forced relaxation to rest a partially torn ligament in his left ankle.

Utah didn't leave without giving the Lakers some nervous moments. Nor did the Jazz leave without giving some opinions.

Portland defeated Houston on Tuesday, 88-77, closing to within 3-2 in the series and forcing a Game 6 Thursday in Houston. How would either team fare against the Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals?

"They've both got inside presence," Jazz forward Paul Millsap said. "But the Lakers got Kobe Bryant. That's going to affect the outcome of the game. What he did to us, you know, is ridiculous. . . ."

Bryant averaged 27.4 points, 5.6 assists and five rebounds in five games against the Jazz.

The Lakers went 2-2 against Portland in the regular season and 4-0 against Houston. They have lost eight consecutive games in Portland but are 5-2 in Houston over the last four seasons.

For obvious reasons, the Lakers would rather play Houston, but, well, they won't say that on the record.

They're well aware that their last five games at the Rose Garden ended in losses by an average of 10.6 points.

"Portland is a team that plays well at home against us," Odom said. "They seem to kind of handle us up there."

But the Rockets could eliminate Portland on Thursday.

"They, of course, like to get it inside," Odom said. "Yao Ming is an awesome player. [Shane] Battier and [Ron] Artest are playing great defensively. We're going to have to be on our 'A' game when we play against either team."

Bynum banter

Andrew Bynum averaged five points and three rebounds while shooting 39.1% in the first round.

Next up for him -- the starting lineup.

Regardless of which opponent the Lakers get in the next round, Bynum is expected to return to starter status.