Cooper, Kupchak Are OK

Michael Cooper and Mitch Kupchak are expected to be ready to play when the Lakers meet the Utah Jazz tonight in the Salt Palace, but the Jazz isn’t as certain about guards Adrian Dantley and Rickey Green.

Cooper, who broke his nose in Sunday night’s game, will wear a face mask and keep alive his streak of 271 consecutive games. Kupchak is returning after a one-game absence because of a bruised larynx.

Utah has won 8 of its last 10 games, a stretch that includes a three-point victory Monday night against Golden State. The Jazz won even though neither Dantley, who has a pulled groin muscle, nor Green, who has a strained left hamstring, was able to play.

Dantley’s injury is the more serious. Green was in uniform and could have played Monday night. The Jazz won’t decide until just before game time if either will play against the Lakers.