Pivot Points: Kobe Breaks Finger As Road Beckons For Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers extended their NBA-best winning streak to 11 games in a familiar double-digit fashion against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but were unable to escape the contest unscathed.

Star guard Kobe Bryant fractured the index finger on his shooting hand while scrambling to control an errant pass. Hand injuries are nothing new for Bryant, but he admitted that this one was painful.

He left the game to have a splint applied, but returned to finish with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists, pretty good numbers to be competing with a broken index finger.

The Lakers as a team continued to roll by reaching their first 11-game winning streak since 2003-2004, and they have not lost an NBA contest since Nov. 15.

Pau Gasol continued to play like the best power forward in the league as he fell three assists shy of a triple-double. He finished with 17 points, seven assists and a career-high 20 rebounds.

The Lakers remained undefeated at 10-0 since Gasol's return, and 10 of their wins during their streak have come by double-digit margins.

The degree of difficulty is likely to trend upwards as the Lakers finish a portion of the schedule that was very generous to Los Angeles and included a large number of home games.

The Lakers played 17 out of their first 21 games at the Staples Center, and are now faced with the prospects of playing 19 of their next 28 on the road, which should reveal any answers for people still questioning the Lakers.

Los Angeles has developed a keen chemistry and rhythm to their game that should help them in their first extended time away from the safe confines of home.

The most important part of winning road games is the ability to play good team defense, and lately the Lakers have been playing the best defense in the NBA.

Los Angeles added Minnesota to the list of teams that have failed to score 100 points against them, and seemed as focused as ever on the task of finishing up their home-stand on a high note.

Detractors will point out that the Lakers' high number of home games helped to pad their schedule, and their record is a direct reflection of their favorable circumstances.

It should be noted, however, that Los Angeles was the best road team in the NBA last season, and that team was nowhere near as efficient on defense as this year's edition, which has shown the ability to be dominate.

Forward Ron Artest has led the defensive charge and has reduced the departed Trevor Ariza to a distant memory at the very edge of Laker fans' conscience.

Besides Kobe and his finger, the Lakers' have also managed to remain fairly healthy during their first 21 games, and the improved play of the reserves has provided moments of much-needed rest for the starters.

Los Angeles is playing at an extremely high level and appears ready to face the challenges that the road will surely provide, and how they emerge will tell a lot about the character and make-up of this team.

The journey begins tonight in Utah, where the Jazz will be trying to exact a measure of revenge for the fourth-quarter embarrassment they faced at the hands of these same Lakers only a few days ago.

I for one, am ready to see the Lakers display the mental fortitude that it takes to win away from home, and for them to put to rest all of the questions concerning the first part of their schedule.

For all practical purposes the Lakers look ready to show the league, and the world why they hold the title of defending champions. Stay tuned.