Back Injury Puts Divac on Injured List Again

Center Vlade Divac, signed during the off-season to help offset the loss of Shaquille O’Neal, went on the injured list Wednesday for a second time because of a back injury.

Sidelined the first 11 games because of a herniated disk, Divac is now being bothered by soreness in his back.

Divac has averaged 0.8 points, 1.1 rebounds and 4.6 minutes. He is eligible to come off the injured list Jan. 5, when the Lakers play Dallas.

Divac, 36, signed a two-year, $10.3-million contract as a free agent, although the Lakers could buy out the second year for $2 million.

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With more out-of-town reporters showing up every day in anticipation of Saturday’s game against Miami, Laker Coach Rudy Tomjanovich has been asked often about the demeanor of Kobe Bryant this season.

“A lot of times he’ll talk to me about, ‘I think this guy has to get involved. Why don’t we call something for him?’ ” Tomjanovich said. “[He is] caring about someone else’s feelings and their confidence out there. The guy has been great.”

Tomjanovich said he did not have a problem with Bryant’s references to teammates as “my guys.”

“The way I interpret that is not in a condescending way,” Tomjanovich said. “That’s like my fellows, my band of brothers.”

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The Lakers had to get past New Orleans on Wednesday before turning their thoughts to Miami.

“I’m not going to say I had great focus,” Tomjanovich said before the game, reminiscing about his playing days. “There were times I noticed a girl in the stands or whatever. But I never went out in a game thinking about something the next [day].”

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Brian Grant played for the first time since going on the injured list Nov. 23 because of tendinitis in his right knee. He had sat out 13 games.... The Lakers will play their 31st Christmas Day game Saturday, tied with Detroit for second-most in league history. The Lakers are 18-12 overall, 10-5 at home on Dec. 25.