Gasol cleared to practice

HOUSTON -- Medical personnel from near and far checked the MRI taken of Pau Gasol's right hamstring and everyone agreed it was nothing more than a strain that's now healed. Gasol was cleared to resume normal basketball activities, but he will not play tonight against the Houston Rockets. He is expected to practice Thursday, assuming the Lakers conduct one after flying home late tonight from Texas. Lakers coach Phil Jackson was uncertain whether Gasol could play Friday against his former team, the Memphis Grizzlies. "I'm sure he would love to play against Memphis," Jackson said. In addition to the Lakers' medical staff, Gasol had doctors in his native Spain also check the results of the MRI.