Bryant Expects to Play Tuesday

MINNEAPOLIS —  After sitting out all but 11 minutes in 10 games because of tendinitis in his left ankle, Kobe Bryant intends to play Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns, leaving him four tune-up games before the playoffs.

Bryant put himself through an hour of drills Sunday, but did not consider playing against the Minnesota Timberwolves. His ankles--the right one was strained, as well--were sound and strong, he said, after consecutive days of practice.

“As far as I’m concerned, unless something drastic happens, I’m playing Tuesday,” he said.

Though Bryant could have played Sunday if absolutely necessary, his focus recently became readying himself for the playoffs.

“I just want to get this right,” he said. “We’ve been playing well. I want to come back and start harassing people [defensively], see if we can’t open Alcatraz back up.”

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Twice nearly a Laker--out of St. John’s and again this season, after being released by the Washington Wizards--Felipe Lopez said that he would consider signing with the Lakers this summer after giving the Minnesota Timberwolves first chance to re-sign him.

Laker Coach Phil Jackson said he would like to add speed to a veteran roster, particularly to the backcourt. When Washington waived him on Feb. 22, Lopez spoke to Kupchak and Flip Saunders, Minnesota’s coach and general manager.

“I was going to have an opportunity to play every day here,” Lopez said. “But I would have loved it in L.A. The Lakers have been the team I dreamed of playing for since I was a kid.”

Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Lopez saw a lot of the Showtime Lakers on television.

“They were my idols,” he said.

He added that he’d think about the Lakers again this summer.

“It all depends,” he said. “I feel comfortable here. Minnesota has the first shot. They have treated me really well here.”

Lopez has been solid for the Timberwolves, averaging nearly 11 points as a starter in the last seven games.

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There’s a lot left to be decided in the Western Conference.

The Sacramento Kings play the dangerous Clippers, then consecutive games at San Antonio, Dallas and Phoenix. The Kings’ final two games are at home against the Vancouver Grizzlies and at Denver.

The San Antonio Spurs have home games against the Dallas Mavericks, Kings and Denver Nuggets, and finish with games at Portland and Seattle.

The Portland Trail Blazers host the Golden State Warriors, travel to Vancouver and return home to play the Houston Rockets before finishing with games Sunday against the Lakers at Staples Center and April 17 against the Spurs.

“There still are a lot of things that can happen,” Jackson said. “We’re curious, but until we meet [the Trail Blazers] next Sunday, that’ll be the telltale time, one way or the other, for how it’s going to play out.”

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The Lakers are encouraged by the recent play of Devean George, regarded in some circles as a bust before the last month or so.

“Devean is starting to play with less inhibition and more direction,” Jackson said. “He has lived by his shot. Now he’s starting to take the ball to the hoop and not pulling up.”

Since March 23, George is averaging 6.1 points and 15.8 minutes.

George, who was born in Minneapolis and attended Benilde-St. Margaret High and Division III Augsburg College, tied his season high of 10 points--all in the fourth quarter--Sunday against the Timberwolves.

In front of his parents and a handful of friends, he played more aggressively.

“It’s coming with being comfortable, with the minutes I’m getting and knowing what to do out there,” George said. “[Jackson] sticks with me. That’s a confidence boost for being more aggressive.”

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Ron Harper, who had knee surgery March 21, is making enough progress that the Lakers believe he’ll be ready for the playoffs, if not a game or two sooner.

“I’m real optimistic about him,” Jackson said. “If it’s not the last game of the season, we feel strongly he’ll be on the playoff roster.”