LAKERS TONIGHT

Opponent--Dallas Mavericks.

Site--Reunion Arena, Dallas.

Time--5:30 PST.

TV--Channel 9.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Lakers 39-19, Mavericks 19-37.

Record vs. Mavericks--2-0.

Laker update--Eddie Jones did not practice Monday but is expected to play tonight after back spasms twice forced him out in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game at Indiana. He does not have a history of back problems. The five-game trip ends an hour flight from where it started a week ago, Houston, and with the Lakers’ best chance for victory. They need it to salvage the swing at 2-3. The last visit here was an easy win, but the Mavericks played the Lakers close in the other meeting.

Maverick update--Just when it seemed that things couldn’t get any worse, they set a franchise record Sunday by blowing a 27-point lead, losing to Phoenix in overtime. Only two Mavericks were on the roster at the start of the season, Derek Harper and Samaki Walker. This has become such a transient team that Erick Strickland, who had been playing in the CBA, is now a starting guard in Dallas.