Looking back, looking ahead

Before they play host to their ancient and hated rivals, the Boston Celtics, on Sunday afternoon, the Lakers have a game against the lowly Sacramento Kings on Friday night at Staples Center. Last time they overlooked a team, the Milwaukee Bucks routed them, which led to a three-game losing streak that included their Christmas Day debacle against LeBron James and the Miami Heat and called into question their fitness as three-peat champs. Last time everyone in the known basketball universe hammered them without mercy for being too fat and happy with themselves. Since that three-game skid, the Lakers have won 12 of 15 games, including Tuesday's 29-point rout of the Utah Jazz.