沃顿仍然因为背部的伤而缺阵，但是他依然能找到活儿干。
他坐在板凳席拿着一个黄色笔记本，在记录着抢断，和deflections等数据。(*Deflection指衡量球员防守能力的综合性指标。它包括破坏对手的传球、抢回己队丢失的球，制造对方进攻犯规以及类似的一些防守性数据)
沃顿开玩笑说：“当我成为球队工作人员时，我们球队3战全胜。”他在近三场比赛都做着此类的工作。
沃顿称他会充当这个角色是因为球队的特殊助理Chuck Person 没有随队前往客场。
他说:"这活儿让我保持冷静，不会变得暴躁疯狂。"
他随队征战客场同时在处理他背部的伤势。
他计划周三去健身房，尝试周四开始训练。
沃顿说：“我已经接近复出了，我将会进行一些半场的训练，那意味着周二晚上我是睡不着了。恢复训练就可以让我兴奋成这个样子。”
Best in the West, second in the NBA again
Lakers had home-court edge in Finals last year because Cavaliers lost to the Magic. Situation is similar this season.
The Lakers finished with the best record in the Western Conference last season and secured home-court advantage throughout the West playoffs.
That paid dividends after the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had the best record in the NBA last season, were upset by the Orlando Magic, allowing the Lakers to get the home-court edge in the NBA Finals because they had the second-best record in the NBA.
The Lakers are basically in the same spot as last season, holding the best record in the West at 50-18, second behind 54-15 Cleveland.
Because the Lakers were tested in the West playoffs last season, Kobe Bryant was asked if it's a big deal for them to have the top seeding in their conference.
"It doesn't matter," Bryant said. "You got to win games on the road too. You're not going to win every home game. You are eventually going to relinquish home court at some point. You wish that was not the case, but it happens."
The Lakers are 20-13 on the road this season, not quite up to last season's 29-12 mark.
Still, Bryant said he remains confident in his team's ability to perform on the road.
"I am, but it doesn't mean it's not trouble," Bryant said. "That Denver series last season scared … all of us — Houston too."
The Nuggets won Game 2 of the conference finals at Staples Center before losing in six games to the Lakers.
The Rockets were the only team in the playoffs that pushed the Lakers to a seven-game series.
"So, I am extremely confident," Bryant said. "But at the same time, I know how dangerous that is."
Lakers on a roll
They have won four consecutive games, three of them on the road.
This has happened after the Lakers lost their previous four games away from Staples Center.
The Lakers didn't practice Wednesday, Coach Phil Jackson preferring to give his players another day to heal their bodies before they practice Thursday in preparation for Friday night's game against the Timberwolves here.
"I feel like we're tightening it up," Pau Gasol said. "I think we're playing better defensively and executing better. We're aware that there are only 14 games left in the regular season. So it's a good time to step it up and play at the highest level."
Walton improving
Luke Walton still is out with a pinched nerve in his back, but still has found a way to stay involved.
Walton sits on the bench with a yellow notepad and takes notes, charting steals, deflections and other stats.
"When I'm on the staff, we're 3-0," joked Walton, who has been doing this for the last three games.
Walton said he has served in this role because special assistant Chuck Person hasn't been on the road.
"It keeps me sane, from going crazy over there," Walton said.
Walton has traveled with the team to get treatment on his back.
His plan was to work out Wednesday and try to practice Thursday.
"I'm getting closer to being back," Walton said. "I'm going to do some half-court stuff, which to me means I won't be able to sleep [Tuesday] night. That's how excited I am just to practice. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/17/sports/la-sp-lakers-fyi-20100318
