Pau Gasol participates in shoot-around but is a game-time decision

Pau Gasol participated in the Lakers’ shoot-around Tuesday morning despite a strained big toe on his left foot and hoped to play against the Cleveland Cavaliers later in the day at Staples Center.

The 7-footer said he had tested the toe by running “at a decent pace” and would gauge his readiness with more involved moves before the game.

“I was happy with the things that I’ve done,” Gasol said, “but I still haven’t really jumped very much or tried any explosive move.”

Gasol said he injured the toe late in the first half of the Lakers’ 36-point loss to the Clippers on Friday.

“That’s why in the second half I couldn’t really jump off it and explode off it, unfortunately,” Gasol said.

Gasol did not practice with the Lakers on Sunday or Monday but said he hoped the time off would allow him to play.

“It’s still not right,” Gasol said, “but we’ll see if I can play without reaggravating it.”

Lakers Coach Mike D’Antoni said he would start Jordan Hill and Chris Kaman in the frontcourt if Gasol were unable to play. The Lakers have used the same starting lineup for five consecutive games, a rare stretch of continuity, but have little success to show for it, having lost 10 of their last 11 games.

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