Why Portland?

The Lakers took Saturday off before beginning a tough three-game road trip against Portland, Houston and San Antonio. They will try to snap a six-game losing streak at Portland's Rose Garden on Monday.

Why have they had such a tough time winning in the Beaver State?

``They always have pretty good teams,'' center Pau Gasol said. `` They have a young team that feeds off the energy in that building and I think everybody gets excited to play against the Lakers.''

Odom thinks it's specific to the Trail Blazers, a good team who is really good at home (25-5 this year).

``It's a team that really gets up for us,'' he said. ``We're definitely going to have our concentration caps on. ''

Gasol at least will get a warm welcome from his Spanish countrymen Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Rodriguez, who are key reserves for Portland.

``It's always nice to see my guys and play against them,'' Gasol said. ``It's not just the playing against them, mostly its the going to dinner, going to lunch, off the court stuff.''