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The Lakers liven up a bit

After a disastrous period, the LA crew finally put together two victories in a row. However, tonight they'll face a team that beat them in six of the last seven duels they played

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For the LA Lakers, the season was practically over before it even begun. They lost the venerable Steve Nash during the preparation period, and then the biggest hope of the franchise, Julius Randle, broke his leg in his first game. Kobe Bryant carried as much as he could, but it did not take long for his body to give in as well, his shoulder to be specific. After losing 16 of their previous 17 games including seven in a row, Byron Scott's team beat the Celtics on Sunday, and three nights later returned from Salt Lake City with a 100-97 victory thanks to a brilliantly played last quarter (31-19) and calm shooting from the free throw line.

-The guys kept calm and kept playing. We have a group of guys that won't stop fighting, they kept playing and gave us a shot at victory. We don't intend to give up, that's just not my style and I'm glad it's not theirs either. We make many mistakes sometimes, but not for lack of effort-said coach Scott.

Over the last three games the team scored 107.7 points, which is 14.5 more than over the previous 15. The Lakers allowed the Utah team the lowest score in their last eight games, which was helped by the fact they forced the Jazz to commit 21 turnover.

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- We managed to defend the basket, run transition and get good shots. That style suits me, I got good shots off and kept making them- said Jordan Clarkson, second round pick at the last draft, who ended the night with 22 points (10/16) and four assists.

- I want to prove people that they were wrong. I play with a chip on my shoulder every time I step to the court.

Next to him their most efficient player was Jordan Hill with 16 points (7/12) and five rebounds, while Wayne Ellington scored 15 points (5/12) and ten rebounds (career best), and might get lots of playtime once again tonight, since Nick Young is not expected to return after his knee problems.

Unlike the home team, the Milwaukee Bucks are definitely in playoff contention, setting out on a four game tour of the Western conference as the sixth ranked team in the Eastern conference, just a win away from the fifth ranked Wizards. They ended a two game losing streak on Wednesday, beating the 76ers at home 104-88, helped by Michael Carter Williams who played his first game for the bucks against his former team.

-My teammates made it easy. My job is to spin the action and find the free player. It's fun, I'm enjoying. The foot is doing OK- described Williams, who scored seven points and eight assists in 17 minutes.

In the previous three games while MCW was recovering from his foot injury, the Bucks scored just 82.0 points with 39.9% shooting from the field, and then scored 53.7% of such shots against the 76ers. John Henson had a particularly brilliant performance with 21 point (9/12) and nine rebounds, and was well supported by Khris Middleton with 19 points (9/12) and five rebounds.

The Wisconsin guys won six of the last seven matches they played against the Lakers, including four in a row. In their first duel this season, earlier this month, they won 113-105, but only after extra time. Giannis Antetokounmpo score 25 in a brilliant performance, with O.J. Mayo and Middleton adding 21 each, while the most notable player on the other team was Carlos Boozer.