Schedule Should Be an Advantage

It wasn’t the most opportune time to consider putting the Lakers and the playoffs back together again, but Coach Phil Jackson ran with the concept when asked about it Tuesday.

“It would be progress,” he said. “I don’t think you would say a success. I think if we went a round in the playoffs, then we could feel like we made a step. But just making the playoffs, it’s not.”

The Lakers, mired in a 1-5 trip and only a half game ahead of Utah for eighth in the Western Conference, could miss the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1974-75 and ‘75-76 seasons.

Looking beyond their current trip and the All-Star break, they play 14 of their last 16 games at Staples Center, a favorable end-of-season advantage ... perhaps.

“Unless the people at home don’t like us at that time and we’re getting booed on our home court,” Jackson said. “Then it would be difficult.”

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The Lakers have not sent any players to their Development League affiliate in nearby Forth Worth, and, with only 12 healthy players, there are no plans to do so in the near future. “There’s a lot of things that don’t connect with us for our players,” Jackson said.... Ronny Turiaf did not receive his work visa in time Tuesday to travel from Toronto to Dallas, but he will join the team tonight in Houston and be eligible to play against the Rockets.

TONIGHT

at Houston, 5:30 PST, Ch. 9

Site -- Toyota Center.

Radio -- 570; 1330.

Records -- Lakers 24-24; Rockets 19-29.

Record vs. Rockets -- 0-1.

Update -- All-Star forward Tracy McGrady has returned from a back injury and the Rockets have won four consecutive games. McGrady’s layup with 0.3 seconds left gave the Rockets a 76-74 victory Dec. 18 over the Lakers.