Road Success Is a Priority

The Laker luxury jet was stuck on the ground for more than three hours in frigid Minneapolis, the weather causing problems Tuesday morning in their destination, Denver, an equally frosty city.

Warm times they are not in the heartland, but important days they are for the Lakers, with delays, snow flurries, and the potential to accrue consecutive road victories for the first time this season.

While the Lakers awaited word from Denver air traffic controllers, Coach Rudy Tomjanovich studied tape of the game Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Satisfied with the 105-96 victory but knowing there are still 50 games left, he touched on the necessity of more success away from Staples Center.

“You’ve got to win on the road,” Tomjanovich said. “That’s how you get above .500, win more road games than you lose home games.”

Tomjanovich often refers to a plus-minus formula that combines road victories and home losses. The Lakers are even in the category, with six road victories and six home losses. Last season, they were plus-15, with 22 road victories and seven home losses on the way to a 56-26 record.

Tonight provides an opportunity to advance into positive territory, against the Denver Nuggets, whom the Lakers have defeated twice this season at Staples Center.

The Lakers were 121-84 on the road during Phil Jackson’s five seasons. They are 6-8 this season.

“All wins are good, but road wins, you’re back on the plane, you’re with the guys, it can snowball,” Tomjanovich said.

“You’re together and it just rubs off on you and it’s contagious and you get that confidence you can do it out on somebody else’s floor. That’s what you have to do.”

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The triangle wasn’t overly efficient Monday for the Lakers, who ended up taking three-point attempts or long jump shots in many of their triangle sets.

“Some pretty good shots, it’s just a different rhythm,” Tomjanovich said. “Any play that you put in, it’s going to take time.”

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Denver interim Coach Michael Cooper said the Nuggets held Kobe Bryant in check after Bryant had 42 points in the Lakers’ 99-91 victory Jan. 2. Bryant’s response at the time: “If that’s keeping me in check, wait until the next time. If I go nuts [in the rematch], then what’s going to happen?” ... James Worthy, who works on Channel 9’s Laker pregame show, will work courtside Thursday as a commentator with Jim Durham on ESPN radio.

TONIGHT

at Denver, 6, Ch. 9

Site -- Pepsi Center.

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

Records -- Lakers 18-14; Nuggets 14-20.

Record vs. Nuggets -- 2-0.

Update -- The Nuggets have struggled under interim coach Michael Cooper, continuing their losing ways with five consecutive losses. Denver had been hit hard by injuries, but is now relatively healthy with the return of shooting guard Greg Buckner from a strained groin.