LAst Night's Action: Lakers Step on Gas

Lakers 106, Bobcats 97 - The Lakers are 4-1 since acquiring Pau Gasol, playing a little cat-and-mouse last night in Charlotte. After allowing the Bobcats to cut a 13 point lead to 3, Kobe put it away in the closing minutes. He had 31 points, his third game in a row over the 30 mark. Gasol contributed 26 despite a cold ... The Lakers wrap up an impressive road trip tomorrow in Minnesota. Pre-Gasol and with Andrew Bynum nursing an injury, they started their longest trip in franchise history looking like things were falling apart. With a win over the Timberwolves, they would finish 7-2 and set a new NBA mark for the best record on a trip of 9+ games (since the NBA dropped neutral-sites in 1974).

Clippers 96, Bucks 89 - The Clips wrapped up their own road trip 3-4 and are ready to return to Staples now that the Grammy's are over. Al Thornton scored 25 and Sam Cassell had 25 in Milwaukee, LA's third straight victory in that city.

Elsewhere - Reaction mixed to Premier League reciprocating what NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL already do ... Rocker: Selig knew! ... Hockey player almost killed on-ice (YouTube here) ... The writers strike is getting really bad.

Today's Action - Kings @ Blue Jackets (5:30pm) ... Ducks @ Avalanche (6:30pm).

AP photo by Rick Havner.