Sports Briefs

Lakers looking good on road trip
The nine-game road trip looked like it get the best of the Lakers, especially with an injured Andrew Bynum. But the Pau Gasol trade changed everythng, and the Lakers have entered their final game of the trip with a 6-2 record through eight games. A win in the final game would set an NBA record for most wins on a road trip.
Kobe Bryant says “It’s like Christmas every day” when talking about all of the weapons the Lakers have on their roster. The Lakers are 4-1 since the Gasol trade, and their role players have really stepped up their game.
Gasol is averaging 20.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as a Laker. Lamar Odom has scored three double doubles since the Gasol trade. Odom had 15 points and 18 rebounds in a win over the Heat.
Jordan Farmar, Ronny Turiaf, and Sasha Vujacic’s solid play has given the Lakers one of the best benches in the league.
The Lakers are going to need to stock up as many wins as possible because other Western teams are loading up with trades. Now that the Suns have traded for Shaquille O’Neal, the Mavericks are in talks with the Nets to trade for point guard Jason Kidd.
Come playoff time, the West will be loaded with great teams fighting for home court advantage.
UCLA blows it at Washington
UCLA’s men’s basketball team must have been reading their own press clippings after they defeated No. 17 Washington State last week, because they totally overlooked Washington, who gave UCLA their worst loss of the season, 71-61.
Point guard Darren Collison had a horrible game, scoring only three points while turning the ball over eight times. His defense that game was horrible.
UCLA also had problems in the low post, as they were out rebounded 40-28 and Center Kevin Love was held to 13 points.
A win would have moved UCLA up to No. 3 in the nation; instead they dropped down to No. 6.
This Sunday UCLA will host USC, who is in bad need of a win to make the NCAA Tournament.
USC has already defeated UCLA once. A sweep, coupled with a few more wins, would put USC in the tournament. But they have been inconsistent as of late, and UCLA will be looking to avenge their earlier loss to USC, and looking to get back on track after their loss to Washington.
This past week USC split their games in Washington. They defeated Washington 73-59, but they were blown out by Washington State 74-50.
USC looks to stay at the Coliseum
USC and the Coliseum Commission have tentatively agreed on a lease that will keep the Trojans playing football at the stadium for the next 25 years. And, the deal would give USC veto power on any potential agreement between the Coliseum and the NFL.
The agreement would include major improvements to the stadium, which the Coliseum Commission would fund with the sale of stadium naming rights. If the commission does not raise enough funds for the improvements, USC could opt out of the deal in two years.