Porous Defense Has Proved Costly

Kobe Bryant referred to it recently as “our nemesis,” and he wasn’t talking about a 350-pound center in Miami or an All-Star guard in Seattle.

He was discussing the Laker defense, specifically its inability to hold opponents under 100 points. The Lakers are giving up an average of 96.1 points, 17th in the league, almost 11 more than San Antonio.

They have given up more than 100 in six games and lost all six. Their 122-113 loss Nov. 12 to Orlando marked the most points given up by the Lakers in a non-overtime game since December 1995.

Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said there would be work to do on team defense over the next several days.

“We’re going to really try to use those practice days to get back to some of that training-camp defense,” he said.

*

A familiar face will be playing a familiar role tonight at Staples Center.

Derek Fisher returns to play against his former team after signing a six-year, $37-million free-agent contract with Golden State last summer. He is averaging 9.7 points and 4.6 assists, but has not been able to dislodge Speedy Claxton at starting point guard, leaving him to play a backup role, once again.

“Ever since I’ve been in the league, there’s never been anything that’s come easy,” said Fisher, who has started three of the Warriors’ 14 games.

“It’s just always kind of been part of it. It’s made me better over the years.”

He has changed teams, but he still hears from Laker fans about his turnaround hoist with 0.4 seconds left against San Antonio in Game 5 of last season’s Western Conference semifinals.

“Even though I’d been on the Lakers for eight years, a lot of people probably didn’t even know me,” Fisher said. “Now they recognize me as the guy that made that shot.”

The Lakers plan to show a highlight video of Fisher before the game, and he will receive a framed jersey before giving a brief speech.

*

TONIGHT

vs. Golden State, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

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

Records -- Lakers 9-7; Warriors 3-11.

Record vs. Warriors (2003-04) -- 3-1.

Update -- The Warriors have the second-worst record in the Western Conference. Shooting guard Jason Richardson is averaging 18.4 points and is the Warriors’ only scorer among the league’s top 50.