Extended Break Seen as a Springboard

Rest for the weary, finally.

The Lakers hadn’t had more than a day between games since the All-Star break, but here they are, seventh in the Western Conference, with three days between games, trying to heal in time for a game with the defending champions.

They have a chance to win a fifth consecutive game for the first time since April 2004, although their next opponent, San Antonio on Thursday, won’t bring the same laundry list of sprains, spasms and jammed appendages as the Lakers, who were given Monday off.

“We really are starting to feel the vagaries of the season,” Laker Coach Phil Jackson said. “I think this is a great time for us to have a little break in the season.”

After so many days of activity -- 20 games in 34 days -- it’s a quiet part of the schedule for the Lakers, who have another three-day break next week before their final seven games.

They can use the rest.

Kwame Brown, who has averaged 18 points and 8.3 rebounds over the last three games, will play against the Spurs, even with a strained hamstring and sore nose, the latter courtesy of an inadvertent Brian Cook elbow.

Kobe Bryant, who has averaged 34.8 points and 41.1 minutes, is also expected to play, despite back spasms. Smush Parker, who jammed his right thumb while trying to fight through a screen, is day to day, although the team hopes he will be ready by Thursday.

The Lakers are two games ahead of Sacramento and four ahead of Utah but Jackson cautioned against making playoff plans.

“There really isn’t a whole lot of margin,” he said. “You just can’t relax.”

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Brown has been much more settled in the post, taking his time and sorting out his thoughts before shooting. He had looked hurried for most of the season, rushing off-balance shots and missing easy layups, but he has made 21 of 29 shots (72.4%) the last three games.

“He’s coming up with some key plays for us on the offensive end,” Jackson said. “He’s doing the things that are extremely important for us, and that is completing at the basket. Completing at the basket is really key.

“A lot of things are starting to fall his way and that is great to see.”