Games End a Stressful Week

The Lakers’ four days off weren’t exactly restful.

But the team will be more than happy to return to the court, 118 hours and one ungainly controversy since the 23-point loss to the Clippers that started all of this.

The Lakers play the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at Staples Center and at Utah on Saturday night.

“I think it’ll be good,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “I’m glad it’s good teams, because it’ll make us really pay attention. I think Cleveland’s a good team as far as how they play basic basketball. They’re sound. They play hard. They play physical. They play aggressive basketball. They do the right things a lot of times. Utah’s a tight group. You have to be together when you go there to play. I don’t know how we’re going to play. We could [be awful] as far as that goes in both these efforts. But that’s still OK, because if this is what we have to do to get out of our funk, good, let it be that way.”

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General Manager Mitch Kupchak said he is not concerned that Shaquille O’Neal versus Kobe Bryant might tarnish the franchise.

“Our owner has never been shy of this type of publicity,” he said of Laker owner Jerry Buss. “It shows great concern and interest in the organization. And, probably first and foremost, if it’s something that needs to be addressed publicly, it’s probably best to get it out there earlier as opposed to later. Obviously you try to take care of your work in-house. You don’t want to deal with the additional distraction of publicity. But we couldn’t do that.”

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Tyronn Lue hasn’t been in a game since Nov. 7, when he went on the injured list in place of Mike Penberthy. Because of various injuries and team strategies, Lue has played in 28 games in three seasons in the NBA.

“It’s been difficult the last three years, always being on injured reserve,” said Lue, who was activated this week. “But I understand the business. I’m happy to have another opportunity to show what I can do.”

Though Lue is not the outside shooter Penberthy is, the Lakers hope he can push the offense and help defensively.

Penberthy, who is on the injured list because of a sore right shoulder, was held out of parts of practice Thursday, Jackson said.

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A bone scan conducted on Laker guard Derek Fisher’s broken foot showed the healing to be on schedule. Fisher, who hopes to return to the lineup in about a month, was cleared for some running, lateral-movement drills and jump shots.

TONIGHT

vs. Cleveland, 7:30, Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 23-11, Cavaliers 17-16.

* Record vs. Cavaliers (1999-2000)--2-0.

* Update--A five-point loser Wednesday at Sacramento, Cleveland has lost nine of 11 games since a six-game winning streak pushed its record to 15-7. The Cavaliers are 6-11 on the road. The Lakers already have five home losses, as many as they had in 41 regular-season games last season.

* Tickets--(800) 462-2849.