Their season-high, three-game losing streak behind them, the Los Angeles Lakers are starting to round into playoff form. A matchup with the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves could help the Western Conference leaders continue that development. 湖人队已经将他们赛季最高的三连败甩在身后，开始了进军季后赛的努力。与实力不济的森林狼交手也许能帮助西部联盟的首头继续好的势头。
Los Angeles looks to win five straight for the first time in nearly three months Friday when it goes for its 10th consecutive victory over the conference-worst Timberwolves, who have dropped 11 in a row. 湖人期待能在周五的比赛中取得近三个月来的第一次五连胜，同时他们也期待能够获得对联盟垫底的弱旅森林狼的10连胜，要知道森林狼已经连续输了11场比赛。
Since their first three-game slide in two years, the Lakers (50-18) have gotten back on track. They capped a 3-0 trip with a 106-99 victory over Sacramento on Tuesday. 湖人队在最近两年里第1次三连败，他们终于成功回到了正轨，目前球队成绩是50胜18负。他们在周二以106：99击败国王队，实现了客场三连胜。
"We're playing with more of a sense of urgency," Kobe Bryant said after scoring 30 points with nine rebounds and seven assists. "Guys understand that we can be beaten. Once you understand that, you understand that that day can come. Guys have to remained focused." “我们打球的时候是带着紧迫感的”科比表示，他在比赛中拿下30分、9篮板和7助攻。“大伙知道我们可以被击败。当你意识到这一点，你就知道这一天迟早会来。大家必须得保持专注。”
The Lakers have held teams to 44.6 percent shooting over the last four games after opponents hit 48.4 percent during the skid. 湖人过去四场将对手的命中率限制为44.6%，此前他们三连败时让对手的命中率达到了48.4%。
"I think we're tightening it up and playing better defensively," said Pau Gasol, averaging 27.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in the last two games. "We know there are only 14 games left in the regular season. It's a good time to step it up and play at our highest level." “我认为我们已经紧张起来，防守方面做得好了很多”加索尔表示。他在过去两场比赛中场均拿下27分和10.5个篮板。“我们知道常规赛还剩14场比赛。现在需要我们提速，打出我们的最高水平来。”
Hosting the Timberwolves (14-55) could help the Lakers win five straight for the first time since Dec. 15-22. 主场迎战森林狼也许可以帮助湖人实现12月15至22日以来球队首次5连胜。
In a matchup at Staples Center on Dec. 11, Los Angeles won its ninth in a row over Minnesota, 104-92. Gasol scored 17 points with 20 boards and Bryant added 20 points despite playing the second half with a splint on his right index finger after suffering a small break while reaching for a pass. 在12月11日主场比赛中，湖人队以104：92实现了对森林狼的9连胜。加索尔拿下17分和20个篮板，科比贡献20分，但下半场他因为右指扭伤临时下场休息。
The Timberwolves lost for the 17th time in 18 games Wednesday, 122-100 at Utah. Former Lakers player and assistant coach Kurt Rambis, in his first season leading Minnesota, is trying to get his team to find reasons to play hard every night. 森林狼过去18场比赛中输了17场，但他们周三以122：100击败爵士。前湖人球员及助理教练兰比斯，正努力使其球队找到每天晚上认真比赛的原因。这也是他第一个担任森林狼主教练的赛季。
"Every team that we are facing is in playoff mode right now so they have a light at the end of the tunnel -- something to fight for," Rambis said. "So our guys are going to have to look within themselves to find that fight." “我们面临的每支球队都已经进入季后赛模式，所以他们已经看到隧道尽头的光线，这值得他们去奋斗”，他说，“所以我们的队员也应反省一下，找到他们的道路。”
Facing a Lakers team that's averaging 110.3 points on 49.5 percent shooting during its winning streak could present a major challenge for the Timberwolves, who are allowing 115.2 points per game during their 11-game slide. 与湖人这样一支场均110.3分、命中率达到49.5%的球队作战可能会给森林狼带来不小的麻烦，要知道他们过去11连败中平均让对手拿到115.2分。
Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson posted his third straight double-double against Los Angeles with 24 points and 13 rebounds in December's meeting. 森林狼后卫杰佛森在12月与湖人的比赛中拿下了面对湖人的第三次连续两双，获得24分和13个篮板。
Since being suspended for two games by Minnesota following a DWI arrest, Jefferson is averaging 19.7 points and 9.7 rebounds while shooting 56.8 percent from the field in six contests. 自从被球队禁赛两场后，杰佛森过去6场比赛平均拿下19.7分和9.7个篮板，命中率达到56.8%
