Lakers to Play Kings Without Abdul-Jabbar
The Lakers will play their last road game of the regular season tonight against the Sacramento Kings, but they will do it without center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Abdul-Jabbar saw a team doctor Friday and was diagnosed as having an upper respiratory infection. He was told to stay home today, but he may play Sunday in the regular-season finale against the Dallas Mavericks at the Forum.
Kurt Rambis, who suffered a bruise above his right knee in Thursday night’s 117-113 victory over the Houston Rockets, traveled with the team and will be examined before the game to see if he is able to play.
Coach Pat Riley hinted that he will cut down the playing time of several other Lakers, both tonight and Sunday night, in order to rest them for the playoffs. The first-round series, against the San Antonio Spurs, will start Thursday night at the Forum.
The Lakers (61-19) are 4-0 against the Kings this season and have beaten them in 15 consecutive regular-season games.
If the Lakers win tonight, they will finish in a tie with the Boston Celtics for the NBA’s best road record, 27-14.
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