Ron Artest and Jerry Buss get a chance to talk at practice

Surreal, humorous scene comes amid trade demand rumors and denials, when owner visits training facility. Buss says he isn't fazed by Artest talk, Andrew Bynum's injury issues or up-and-down of season.

Lakers tripped up by Spurs' tip

San Antonio's Antonio McDyess beats the clock, 89-88, as Lakers fail in another bid to gain a signature victory.

Ron Artest says he's happy to be with Lakers

He fires back at a report that he wants to be traded. 'We're moving forward. That's all that matters,' he says.

Lamar Odom works long and hard for a 20-20 night

He plays 49-plus minutes, starting in place of injured Andrew Bynum, and has 20 points and 20 rebounds to help beat the Houston Rockets.

Up next for the Lakers: vs. San Antonio

San Antonio, whose 15-6 road record is the NBA's best, visits Staples Center at 7:30 p.m.

When it comes to trades, the options are few for Lakers

The Lakers' aging roster and big-time salaries leave little room for dealing before the Feb. 24 deadline, despite increased concerns about postseason chances.

Kobe Bryant and Lakers stop skid at two, the hard way

They need overtime to beat Rockets, 114-106, another uninspired effort that nonetheless ends their mini-losing streak. Bryant has 32 points, 11 assists in a win that culminates a turbulent day of trade talk and a team-in-trouble declaration from Magic Johnson.

Lakers really know how to build the suspense

If they win all the time in the regular season, ho hum. Yes, they have weaknesses, but the one thing you can count on is that they will be in the NBA Finals.

Defense is Lakers' downfall in loss to the Celtics

Boston shoots 60.3% for the game and 70% in the fourth quarter as the Lakers are again left searching for answers.

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak says he'd consider making a trade

The general manager says he is unhappy with two-time defending champions' play of late, especially in consecutive losses to the lowly Kings and hated Celtics. He doesn't say whether he has talked to any other teams about a possible deal.

Lakers don't play like defending champions in ugly loss to Celtics, 109-96

Lakers look nothing like the team that beat Boston in the Finals last June, breaking down in every area, particularly on defense, in another disturbing defeat against an NBA contender. Kobe Bryant scores 41, but other Lakers struggle, while Celtics shoot 60.3%.

Shaquille O'Neal is showing his true colors with Celtics

The former Lakers great has worn many NBA uniforms, but he's been a good fit only in certain places, like L.A. . . . and, now, Boston. On Sunday, Shaq and the rest of the beefy, beastly Celtics visit Staples Center with mayhem on their minds.

Lakers hope to take from past but stay in present against Celtics

As the old rivals prepare to meet Sunday, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson says there are lessons to be learned from their seven-game NBA Finals victory over Boston last June . . . and also from their desultory loss to Sacramento on Friday.

Lakers looking to make a run in the near future

They have a 3-3 record over the last six games, with the tough part of the schedule coming up, including Boston on Sunday and San Antonio on Thursday.

Lakers talk freely about what went wrong in loss to Kings

The Lakers say a 100-95 defeat at Staples Center was not a result of looking ahead to Sunday's game against Boston and get in a few jabs at the media.

Inside the NBA: Looking ahead

The Lakers take on the Celtics on Sunday at Staples Center