Opponent--New Jersey Nets.Site--Forum.Time--6:30.TV--Fox Sports West.Radio--KLAC (570), KWKW...

Opponent--New Jersey Nets.

Site--Forum.

Time--6:30.

TV--Fox Sports West.

Radio--KLAC (570), KWKW (1330).

Records--Lakers 40-20, Nets 18-42.

Record vs. Nets (1995-96)--2-0.

Laker update--They have dropped from first to fourth in the Western Conference in about 2 1/2 weeks, the only surprise in the wake of two major injuries being the speed of the descent. But with the lead over No. 5 Portland at seven games with 22 to play, it would take a major collapse to go any lower. Helping the Lakers’ cause is that the next five opponents went into Saturday’s games with a combined winning percentage of .347, the next 11 opponents at .406 and the final 22 at .441. Hurting, potentially, is that they are 1-2 against the Trail Blazers and still play once more with the tiebreaker on the line.

Net update--This is the second stop in a five-game stretch that started Friday with a 19-point loss at Seattle and continues against Utah, Chicago and New York. Three of the five players acquired from Dallas in the Feb. 17 blockbuster are starting for the Nets: Sam Cassell and Jim Jackson in the backcourt and Eric Montross at center.