Pau Gasol

Lakers 113, Trail Blazers 106 (final) The Lakers finally won on consecutive nights after failing 15 previous times this season, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers, 113-106, on Wednesday night at the Rose Garden. The Lakers came back from multiple double-digit deficits to earn the win. Kobe Bryant scored 47 points on 14-of-27 shooting, making all 18 free throws. He also had eight rebounds, five assists, four blocked shots and three steals. Rookie Damian Lillard was a powerhouse for the Blazers, scoring 38 points on 12-of-25 shooting with nine assists and three steals.

It could have been the Lakers' darkest hour this season, losing at home to the New Orleans Hornets. So Kobe Bryant brought out his flashlight, flicked it on and shined it directly at the Hornets. Twelve chaotic minutes later, Bryant had taken the Lakers to a 104-96 victory Tuesday at Staples Center. Yes, there is light near the end of the regular season. Barely. Bryant entered the fourth quarter with seven points and finished with 30, pushing the Lakers to their most important victory this season, if only because they moved half a game ahead of Utah for eighth place in the Western Conference.

The Lakers need the Utah Jazz to lose at least one game to have a chance of catching up in the standings; otherwise, the season could end on April 17. Pau Gasol admitted that it's been a difficult year -- both for him personally and for the Lakers. "The past [few] years have been difficult," Gasol said to Mark Willard and Mychal Thompson on ESPN 710 . "The lack sometimes of security and certainty do play a role, but again there's nothing I can do about it. I understand the situation of the team, of the personnel and why that happens.

After losing to the Clippers, 109-95, the Lakers (40-37) have fallen back to ninth place behind the Utah Jazz (40-37) by virtue of Utah's tiebreaker. The Jazz play at Golden State on Sunday night against the Warriors (44-32). For the Lakers to make the playoffs, they need Utah to lose at least one more game -- making Lakers fans suddenly hardcore Warriors' fans for the night. Will the Lakers' players watch the game with so much at stake? "I usually watch the games anyway.  If I have a personal interest in it, I definitely watch it," said Pau Gasol, who noted he'd watch his brother Marc Gasol's game (Memphis Grizzlies)

The Lakers have improved defensively over the last few weeks, helping the team climb four games above .500, at 40-36. On Friday, the Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies, one of the league's top defensive teams, at their own game in a low-scoring 86-84 victory. Breaking down that game, Coach Nick Hauselman of BBallBreakdown said the Lakers used the defensive technique called "ice" to slow the Grizzlies' pick and roll. Ice uses the defensive guard (in this case, Steve Blake)

Pau Gasol continued to play at a high level Friday night in the Lakers' 86-84 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. He returned rusty following a six-week layoff after a foot injury, the Lakers losing their first two games.  Since then, Gasol has played at least 32 minutes with the Lakers winning four of five. Over that five-game stretch, Gasol has averaged 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and five assists while shooting 54.8% from the field. "We're using him the right way," said Kobe Bryant of Gasol.

Steve Nash was in the building but not on the bench. Metta World Peace and Jordan Hill were on the bench but unable to play. So the Lakers pushed onward, short on players, short on offense but just long enough on the scoreboard to win, 86-84, Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. If the air seemed a little more stifling than usual at Staples Center, it probably was. It's already tension time with a half-dozen regular-season games to go. BOX SCORE: Lakers 86, Grizzlies 84 But Kobe Bryant had 24 points and nine assists as the Lakers (40-36)

The Lakers (39-36) have climbed back into playoff position with a half-game lead over the Utah Jazz.  After winning two straight, the Lakers will be challenged Friday night as they host the Memphis Grizzlies (51-24) at Staples Center. Memphis plays some of the best defense in the league, holding teams to just 89.8 points a game. Offensively, the Grizzlies have weapons but as a group they average just 93.8 points a game. The Lakers will struggle to meet their season average at 102.3 a night against Memphis.

Lakers 86 - Grizzlies 84 (final) The Lakers closed out a tight battle against the Memphis Grizzlies, 86-84, to stay ahead of the Utah Jazz in the standings. The Grizzlies quickly erased the Lakers' lead in the fourth quarter, taking an 84-83 lead with 2:32 left in the game. Pau Gasol hit a layup a minute later to put the Lakers back on top. Both teams fought the final minute and a half without making a field goal. The Lakers matched the intensity of one of the NBA's top defensive teams.

Pau Gasol finished four assists shy of a triple-double Tuesday night as the Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 101-81. "My timing, my legs, my conditioning is getting better," said Gasol after practice Thursday.  "Everything is just flowing nicely.  Let's see if we can keep it up. " After sitting out for more than six weeks with a foot injury, Gasol has gradually improved through six appearances since March 22.  Over the last four games,...