LAKERS TONIGHT

Opponent--Portland Trail Blazers.

Site--Rose Garden, Portland.

Time--7:30.

TV--Channel 9.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Lakers 25-9, Trail Blazers 18-15.

Record vs. Trail Blazers--1-0.

Laker update--The 23 assists by Nick Van Exel on Sunday were not only a career high, but they also marked the 13th time he has been in double figures in assists this season. He had more than nine assists only 12 times all last season. The second night of back-to-back games used to be a problem for the Lakers, but they’ve won the last three such games.

Trail Blazer update--The NBA’s youngest and least-experienced team is more than getting by, having won four in a row, including a 14-point victory at Houston last Thursday. Portland averaged 108.5 points in those four games and has averaged 102.5 in its last 11. That has pushed the Trail Blazers to 98.9 for the season.