Before the Bulls, They Get a Break

The Lakers do not play today. Or Sunday. Or Monday.

Their next game is Tuesday night in Chicago against the Bulls.

Pardon them for thinking this might be a mirage, but going the first six weeks of the season before the first break of at least two days does that. It has been only one-day rest periods up to now, but ahead is the compensation, only six games over the final 18 days of the month.

“If you can get through the struggle of the things, all the extra effort and ups and downs, it’s more of a feeling of accomplishment,” Coach Del Harris said.

“The problem is, it’s tough to understand that while you’re waist deep in alligators.”

Playing 25 days in 43 days to start the season--with games every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday--is more grueling than anything the coach can remember.

“I’m pretty sure I have never experienced it,” he said.

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The Trail Blazers before the game put Dontonio Wingfield on the injured list because of a sprained left thumb, suffered in the fourth quarter Thursday night against Vancouver, and activated Mitchell Butler.

Butler had been out since Dec. 3 because of tendinitis in both knees.