LAKERS TODAY

Opponent--Utah Jazz.

Site--Forum.

Time--12:30.

TV--Channel 4.

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

Records--Lakers 53-25, Jazz 60-17.

Record vs. Jazz--0-3.

Laker update--They have a losing record in the season series against three of the last four regular-season opponents, but are winless only against the Jazz. A victory today would be huge, and not only for emotional purposes in a game the Lakers have built up. Because the Seattle SuperSonics and Houston Rockets are meeting in Houston, with a tipoff scheduled the same time as here, the Lakers would be guaranteed to pick up a game in the standings on one of the teams they’re battling into the final week.

Jazz update--The best record in the Western Conference is already wrapped up, leaving the Jazz only to battle with the Miami Heat for the second-best record in the league and home-court advantage in case they meet in the finals. A 15-game winning streak means the Jazz has not lost since March 11. And that’s the only defeat in the last six weeks. The next victory sets the franchise record of 61 in a season.