Times staff writer ties up some loose ends before Lakers playoff games:

Q&A; of the day

Question: My name is Ian, I’m from England, and I’m a pretty big fan of the Lakers. This is a big year for me as I’m about to graduate [from a] university, but that of course would pale in comparison to the Lakers winning a championship this year. If it happens, I would love to be at the final game, but I don’t have much money. My request anyway is this: Can I stay on your couch for a day or two? I promise I’ll be quiet and you’ll never know I’m there . . . well, I may need a ride to the airport.

--Ian McCabe, Newcastle, England

Answer: Uh, let me get back to you on that one.

Your assistants, please

Lakers assistant coach Kurt

Rambis on the importance of

going up 2-0:

“Obviously, it puts pressure on [Denver] just to hold home-court advantage. They have to go home and win two, but that’s thinking way ahead. We still have to take care of our home-court advantage.”

Best-case

Lakers scenario

The Nuggets’ bus breaks down again and the Lakers actually play some defense, holding the Nuggets under 100.

Worst-case

Lakers scenario

Allen Iverson scores 45, Carmelo Anthony scores 40, and J.R. Smith and new starter Linas Kleiza drain three-pointers left and right. A 1-1 series is a world of difference

from 2-0.

Final thought

Luke Walton saved his best game of the season for Game 1. Can he do it again and become the Lakers’ fourth legitimate threat? If so, the Lakers will be 2-0 going into

Denver.