Wizards could edge Lakers tonight.

The injuries are starting to mount for the Los Angeles Lakers. So too are some seemingly unthinkable defeats - even with a spectacular performance from Kobe Bryant his last time out. After back-to-back home losses to two of the league's worst teams, Bryant and the Lakers will try to avoid losing three straight for the first time in more than two months on Sunday when they host the streaking Washington Wizards. Los Angeles (49-24) seemed like it was developing into the best team in the loaded Western Conference before in-season acquisition Pau Gasol went down with a sprained ankle on March 14 at New Orleans. The Lakers were 15-3 since Gasol entered the lineup on Feb. 5, but including the loss to the Hornets - during which he played just two minutes - Los Angeles is 4-5 without him. Losses to New Orleans, Houston and Golden State, all Western playoff contenders, weren't much of a surprise. But the Lakers lost 108-95 at home to Charlotte on Wednesday, then followed that up with a 114-111 loss to ... [link]