Lakers welcome Jazz to Staples Center

The Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Lakers resume a four-game homestand Friday when they welcome the Utah Jazz to Staples Center. The Lakers won their 14th straight home game and closed out 2008 on a positive note last Sunday when Kobe Bryant connected on 9-of-15 from the floor and 10- of-10 from the free throw line for a game-high 31 points as LA pounded the hapless Golden State Warriors, 130-113. Both teams were coming off victories over Boston, as Golden State used a big fourth quarter to stun the defending...read full article