LAKERS TONIGHT

Opponent--Milwaukee Bucks.

Site--Forum.

Time--7:30.

TV--Fox Sports West.

Radio--KLAC (570), KWKW (1330).

Records--Lakers 46-23, Bucks 28-40.

Record vs. Bucks--1-0.

Laker update--Nick Van Exel continues to wear a sleeve on a sore knee he says sometimes hurts when bending on a jump shot, but it’s hard to tell. He averaged 21.6 points and shot 46% on the just-completed five-game trip, along with 8.2 assists. “Hopefully I can continue,” he said. “But you know me.” The breakout after a long slump also included defense and leadership that earned the praise of Coach Del Harris. The return home is brief--the Lakers go back out to play at Vancouver on Thursday.

Buck update--This is the second stop on a seven-game trip that began with a loss Tuesday in Phoenix, their longest journey in nine seasons. The Bucks have lost 13 of 16 to fade from playoff contention, even if the three victories were against the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers. Vin Baker is on pace to become the first Buck to average 20 points and 10 rebounds since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1974-75.