Easy Victories a Welcome Relief

The Lakers did not practice Monday, using the day to travel to Minneapolis, but preparation for the five-game trip that begins tonight at the Target Center actually started days earlier.

The return of once-common blowout victories meant rest for the starters. Friday against the Houston Rockets, Robert Horry and Rick Fox were the only starters to play more than 35 seconds in the fourth quarter, and all five got the final period off two nights later against Dallas at the Forum.

“It’s been good,” Horry said. “Any time you can get extra rest and the bench gets extra time and all the players are getting to work on their games, it’s always good for the whole team. Not just the starters.”

This five-game swing includes two sets of games on consecutive nights and the five opponents began play Monday with a combined winning percentage of .619.

*

Jones continues to have swelling around his right wrist, and he continues to tape it as a precaution, but he says the injury is much improved.

“You can tell,” he said. “I’m shooting the ball a lot more now and making a lot more now.”

Jones made 12 of 25 shots and scored 33 points in his 54 minutes against the Rockets and Mavericks after going nine for 31 in his previous three games.

TONIGHT at Minnesota

* 5 PDT

* Channel 9 (6 p.m.)

Site--Target Center.

Radio--KLAC 570.

Records--Lakers 17-5, Timberwolves 9-12.

Record vs. Timberwolves--1-0.

Update--The Timberwolves have lost six of their last nine games since opening 6-3, a skid that started with a 25-point defeat Nov. 19 at the Forum. Stanley Roberts has moved into the starting lineup at center.