Lakers’ Chris Kaman is delayed but gets a start

MILWAUKEE — Somehow the days get even more unpredictable for Chris Kaman.

He went 10 games in a row without getting off the bench, then started for the Lakers on Tuesday against the New York Knicks because Pau Gasol was sidelined by vertigo.

He also voiced his displeasure that day with this season, saying he “can’t wait till it’s over,� a shot at Coach Mike D’Antoni and the small-ball concept.

That was the easy part for Kaman.

He did not travel with the Lakers the day before Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks because he stayed in Los Angeles for a family member’s undisclosed medical procedure.

He left Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday morning on a commercial flight, arrived at the arena about 15 minutes before tipoff and scored 13 points in the Lakers’ 108-105 loss to the Bucks.

“To see that from Chris, that was big,� Nick Young said of Kaman, who did not talk to reporters after the game. “He’s in good spirits. I was shocked that he played. That shows we’re going to still keep going until it’s over.�

Kaman should expect to start again Friday in Minnesota against the Timberwolves because Gasol stayed in L.A. for the Lakers’ two-game trip.

Kaman didn’t shoot badly Thursday, making six of 12 attempts, but he had three turnovers and looked fatigued at times.

“He had a long day, so I’m sure he was a little bit tired,� D’Antoni said.

Where’s your point?

Kendall Marshall and Kent

Bazemore, the Lakers’ point guards these days, didn’t have great games against Milwaukee.

They combined for 14 points, 10 turnovers, nine assists and seven fouls.

“They forced things,� D’Antoni said. “A lot of times when you don’t put in the necessary energy, you try to take shortcuts on offense also.

“What happens is you drive it into a crowd, you lose it, miss a couple [open] guys, then they want to take it and then they screw up too. It wasn’t a good flow all night.�

Marshall had five points and made only two of seven shots, continuing his downward accuracy trend. He was shooting 32.9% this month before Thursday and was only 39.8% last month.

He shot 43.5% in January and was at 57.1% accuracy in four December games.

D’Antoni blues

D’Antoni remembers an ill-fated game here from his playing career.

“First time I ever started an NBA game was in Milwaukee,� he said. “Broke my hand and had to go to the hospital in my warmups. Wasn’t good.�

D’Antoni averaged 3.3 points and 1.9 assists in 130 games with three teams from 1973-77.

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Twitter: @Mike_Bresnahan