The good news for LA: Andrew Bynum is back and playing out of his mind, recording the first 20-20 game of his career two nights ago against Houston. Now the bad: The Lakers are heading to the Rose Garden, where Kobe Bryant’s career record is 6-23.
Tonight’s best game is in Portland, where the LA Lakers make their first, and only, visit of this season at 10:30 ET in the second game of a nice doubleheader on TNT. Preceding that matchup, Atlanta hosts Miami after dealing the Heat their first loss of the season on Monday, 100-92.
The Lakers would like to get this one over with. Despite owning a 112-87 all-time advantage over the Blazers, LA has struggled in Paul Allen’s building, winning just 2 of their last 12 games and 6 of 29 since the arrival of Bryant. The Lakers won the season series last year for only the third time since 1989.
LA looked strong in their 108-99 win over Houston on Tuesday. Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 37 points and Andrew Bynum had 21 points and 22 rebounds.
Bynum enters tonight’s matchup averaging 22.7 points and a league-leading 17 rebounds since completing his four-game suspension, helping the 4-3 Lakers get over .500 after starting the season 0-2.
Portland suffered its first loss of their season to the Clippers on Sunday, 
93-88. But the 4-1 Trail Blazers bounced back quickly with a huge road win over Oklahoma City, dealing the Thunder their second loss in as many nights Tuesday and rising to the top of the Western Conference standings.
LaMarcus Aldridge led Portland with 30 points, Wesley Matthews added 16 and Gerald Wallace 13. They were helped by a rare off-night from Kevin Durant (1-of-7 from 3-point range and 8-of-26 overall) as the Thunder shot just 25 percent from behind the arc and were unable to get out and run.
Portland committed only nine turnovers against Oklahoma City after losing the ball 46 times in their previous two games – 21 of which came in their loss to the Clippers.
The Trail Blazers, 3-0 at home, are third in the league in rebounding with 47.2 boards per game. The Lakers are right on their heels averaging 45.7, good for fourth.
LA forward Josh McRoberts, who filled in for Bynum during his suspension, is a game-time decision with a sprained left big toe.