First chicken pox. Then a right knee. For the Lakers, this stretch might as well be the plague. Despite snapping their five-game losing streak after pulling out a 102-93 victory against the Spurs, who sat their starters Tuesday at Staples Center, the two-time defending champs are depleted and limping into the postseason.
Andrew Bynum has a hyperextended right knee after stepping on DeJuan Blair's foot. He will have an MRI Wednesday. Lakers coach Phil Jackson uttered the words "couple of games" when asked if Bynum may miss time. Steve Blake has chicken pox, and he is out indefinitely. Matt Barnes has a sore right knee. All three will not play in the regular season finale against the Sacramento Kings. And beyond that is an even bigger question mark.
With the win versus the Spurs, the Lakers (56-25) avoid the No. 4 seed. They could finish with the No. 3 seed if they lose to the Kings, and the Mavericks beat the Hornets. The Lakers can secure the No. 2 seed if they win tomorrow or the Mavericks lose.
Meanwhile, the Bulls made it 8 straight as they defeated the Knicks behind 26 points from Derrick Rose and 23 + 10 boards from Luol Deng.