LAKERS’ WEEK AHEAD

4 GAMES

Tuesday vs. New Orleans, 7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net -- The Hornets seemingly would be just another pushover if they played in the West instead of in the East, where they were fourth overall, despite being only two games over .500 heading into the weekend. They lost Thursday to the woeful Atlanta Hawks, 84-76, when Baron Davis sat out because of a sprained left ankle and backup Darrell Armstrong had only eight points.

Thursday vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m., TNT -- Word to Steve Francis: Go easy on the halftime critique of the referees. Francis gave ESPN’s Jim Gray an earful last week, had to fork over $25,000 and count his lucky stars he wasn’t suspended.

Friday at Seattle, 7:30 p.m., Channel 9 -- Playing on successive nights is the stuff of nightmares for an aging team such as the Lakers. But it wasn’t so long ago that teams had to play three games in as many nights in as many cities, and fly on cramped commercial flights instead of on chartered aircraft with loads of leg room.

Sunday vs. San Antonio, 12:30 p.m., Channel 7 -- The Lakers have passed the Spurs and have a better record than the Minnesota Timberwolves. Might a victory over the Spurs in this game propel them past the Sacramento Kings?

-- Elliott Teaford