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Bryant needs a break

The Lakers are considering resting their key player tonight or in one of the other games this week but it might not be the best idea to do it against the mighty Warriors since Bryant finished the first two head-to-head games with 44 and 28 points

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The Lakers were on a three-game winning run mid-December but seems like they're headed into a bad final part of the year. The team from L.A. are on a three-game losing run, not being able to limit any of the opponents to less than 104 points in the last three games. They went to Sacramento Sunday night and didn't know how to cope with DeMarcus Cousins, who finished with 29 points and 14 rebounds. Nick Young recorded team-best 26 points at Lakers, while Bryant added 25, but needed to take 30 shots for it (8-for-30 from the floor), recording 9 turnovers in the process.

Coach Scott said he was considering resting Bryant today and Kobe's missing of last training session might be indicative of him missing this or some other game this week. If that happens, the Golden State Warriors game would be the first one Kobe missed this season.

- I want him on the floor and I know how much he wants to be there, which is why this is a very tough decision. But, we have considered the possibility, talked about the schedule and what it the best thing to do. Kobe will agree with any decision I make - Scott said.

- I don't have too much choice if the body is feeling the way it is feeling right now - Byant said.

Golden State Warriors won the last four head-to-head games with the Lakers. Those were one-sided wins this season, with the Oakland-based team scoring 127 and 136 points. The Warriors are averaging 108 points, while the Lakers concede that much per game, which will make this a very tough task for the home defense.

Golden State are on a 13-2 record away, having lost a total of three games so far. They ended the winning streak in Memphis but went  on to start a new one with two wins, against Oklahoma and the Kings. They took a 16-point lead after the first quarter and the Kings stood no chance later on. Thompson scored 25 points, while Curry added 12 points and 11 assists.

David Lee was on the team for the first time since November 5th and only the second time this season to finish with 6 points and 7 rebounds in 16 minutes. Coach Kerr said Lee had no issues with starting the game on the bench since Green has been doing great in the starting five. Lee's comeback is important because Bogut is out with a knee injury. The Warriors hope he'll be back in a few weeks.

Bryant scored 44 points (15-for-34) in the last head-to-head meeting with the Warriors, while Young wasn't n the team. Bogut scored 15 and added 10 rebounds for the Warriors while Curry finished with 30 points and 15 assists. Bryant recorded 28 points (12-for-28), Hill 23 as the center, Curry 31, and Thompson carrier-best 41 point in the first head-to-head meeting with Golden State.

Curry has been averaging 30.3 points and 12.3 assists the last three games.