Nets Also Lose Key Player

We’re talking short-handed all-around.

The East’s top team, the New Jersey Nets, plays the West’s current No. 2 team, the Lakers, tonight at Staples Center. The Lakers will be playing without Kobe Bryant.

The Nets will be without forward Kenyon Martin and may not have starting center Todd MacCulloch.

McCulloch is eligible to come off the injured list, having sat out five games because of a sore left foot.

On one hand, the Nets would love to throw their biggest player--he’s 7 feet, 280 pounds--at Shaquille O’Neal.

On the other hand, dealing with the 7-1, 350-pound-or-so O’Neal is no way to return to action.

Martin, who has been involved in several hard-foul incidents, was called for his sixth flagrant foul Sunday against the Chicago Bulls, which carries an automatic one-game suspension.

Rookie Jason Collins would start in MacCulloch’s place and rookie Richard Jefferson would start in Martin’s place at forward.

*

Laker forward Samaki Walker, sidelined by a sore right elbow, is close to returning.

“The timing could be any time between--we’re going to say game-to-game situation,” Coach Phil Jackson said.

*

Just in case the Nets were getting big heads....

“I don’t want to say anything about the Eastern Conference because they’ve beaten up on us this year,” Jackson said. “But in the West, the teams that will make it [playoffs], in eighth place, will probably have to be close to 50 victories.... In the East, you might have a couple teams that are under .500 that make it into the playoffs. That tells you something about the difference in the conferences.”

*

O’Neal, on the Nets: “New Jersey’s a great team. However, if we do what we’re supposed to, I like our chances.

“If we don’t do what we’re supposed to do, it’ll probably be a long night.”

TONIGHT

vs. New Jersey, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Lakers 41-17, Nets 39-19.

Record vs. Nets (2000-2001)--2-0.

Update--The Nets are playing four road games in five nights, starting tonight at Staples Center, followed by games Wednesday at Phoenix, Friday at Portland and Saturday at Seattle. MVP candidate Jason Kidd is averaging 14.5 points, 10.0 assists and 7.3 rebounds.

Tickets--(213) 480-3232.