With the Los Angeles Lakers heading into the All-Star Break after tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz, Derek Fisher said on Tuesday that the goals from now through the break are two-fold.
While the team wants to win and head into the off-weekend with a nice streak going, the more important issue is staying healthy for the stretch run.
"There is . . . something to be said for going into the break feeling good about where you are as a team," Fish told the Los Angeles Times. "At the same time, for us, getting healthy is really the focal point regardless of how we’re playing. If we’re not healthy, what we’re experiencing will be short-lived. So, good or bad, having all our guys available will be the key to our success."
D-Fish will be in the starting lineup tonight, but it’s doubtful if he’ll be playing alongside Kobe Bryant, who’s still nursing a sprained ankle.
"We’re relying on everybody’s abilities to contribute and make plays," D-Fish told reporters on Tuesday. "That’s what we’ll have to do to win."
In Utah, the Lakers will take on a team who has won ten straight at home, including one over Los Angeles. In the loss, Fish scored 15 points on 6-8 shooting. It was his most accurate night on the season.
NEXT UP
The Lakers are in Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz before the NBA All-Star Break. Tip off is at 7:30 and will be shown on KCAL-TV. After tonight, the Lakers don’t play again until next Tuesday.
To hear Derek talk about the matchup with Utah, click here.
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Lamar Odom says he will play against the Jazz (L.A. Times, Feb. 10, 2010)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-fyi10-2010feb10,0,6963981.story
Lakers anticipate playing Utah with a depleted lineup (L.A. Times, Feb. 9, 2010)
http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2010/02/lakers-anticipating-playing-utah-with-a-depleted-lineup.html