Watson Still Playing in Pain

Coach Steve Lavin is looking for an opportunity to reduce guard Earl Watson’s minutes. Watson has been playing with a bruised bone in his right foot for about three weeks but does not want to sit out.

“It bothers me a lot,” said Watson, who still is expected to start tonight when UCLA plays at Oregon State. “It takes a while for it to warm up, or at least for me to mentally block out the pain; about 10 minutes.”

Said teammate Baron Davis: “I can really tell he’s out there hurting. I can see the look in his eyes. You can tell he’s out there fighting the pain.”

Lavin has seen it too. He hopes to give Watson a rest to help the healing process.

“If not hold him out,” Lavin said, “I’d love to taper his minutes sometime.”

TONIGHT

at Oregon State, 7

Fox Sports West 2

* Site--Gill Coliseum.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Bruins 10-2, 2-0; Beavers 6-5, 0-2.

* Update--UCLA is playing outside of Southern California for the first time since Nov. 28. The Bruins’ previous games outside Pauley Pavilion : three at the Puerto Rico Shootout and one at the Arrowhead Pond for the Wooden Classic.