Best meets worst in the Western Conference Friday as the defending NBA champion Los Angles Lakers aim for their 10th straight win over the hapless Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Lakers won their fourth straight game overall on Tuesday in Sacramento when Kobe Bryant posted a near triple-double and Pau Gasol ended with 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting, as the duo led the Lakers past the Kings, 106-99, at ARCO Arena.

The win was LA's 50th of the season, the third consecutive year that the reigning champions have accomplished that feat.

"We've been playing well," Gasol said. "The results are obvious."

Bryant went for 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while Gasol added 12 rebounds for Los Angeles , which had 23 second-chance points to Sacramento 's nine. Andrew Bynum ended with 21 points and 12 boards for the victors.

A win tonight by the Lakers, along with a Houston loss against Boston would clinch a postseason berth for LA.

The Wolves, meanwhile, continued their miserable season on Wednesday when Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver were at the head of a balanced scoring attack with 21 and 20 points, respectively, as the Utah Jazz logged a runaway win over Minnesota , 122-100.

Al Jefferson and Corey Brewer each recorded 17 points for the Timberwolves, who are in the midst of an ugly 11-game losing streak. Wayne Ellington and Ryan Gomes added 13 and 11 points, respectively, in the T'Wolves' 17th loss in the last 18 games.

"These guys have been very resilient all year. The group has hung tough, they have hung together," said T'Wolves coach Kurt Rambis, a former player and coach with the Lakers. "We know we have put them in a very difficult situation...they will learn and they will develop."

Minnesota has also dropped seven straight to the Lakers at Staples Center , including a 104-92 setback back in December.

Other Lakers Timberwolves News

Future Sports Star:

Kevin Love
Kevin Love has shown a skill level that is absolutely unheard of amongst big men in the college ranks-knocking down NBA 3-pointers with ease, putting the ball on the floor with either hand, using pump-fakes, spin-moves, jump-stops and creating his own shot with fantastic footwork. He's rebounding the ball well, throwing beautiful outlet passes, contesting shots around the basket, and even coming up with a few blocks on occasion.

Jordan Farmar news:
•Rookie Farmar says he's living Hollywood dream with Lakers
• Grizzlies challenge Farmar
• Stars come out at Camp
• NBA considerations distant memory for pair of eager Cats

Kobe Bryant news:
•Kobe Bryant apologizes to Lakers GM
•Kobe Bryant Wins Scoring Title
•Kobe has most popular jersey in USA, China
•Bryant Proves the Best
•Wade beats Bryant for another Skills Challenge win
•Memorabilia Offered by Kobe Bryant and Upper Deck
•Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Suspended
•Why did Kobe change to 24?
•Kobe Bryant: Won't Play This Week
•Kobe Bryant to Collab with Lil Wayne
•Lakers' Kobe Bryant ready for another run as NBA season nears
•Kobe Bryant Dunk Videos
•Kobe Bryant Videos
•Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07 for PlayStation
•Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07

Los Angeles news:
• Los Angeles news
•Los Angeles Concerts news
• Beckham Signs with Los Angeles Galaxy
• Top 10 Most Valuable NBA Franchise
• 10 Ten things to do in Los Angeles
• Lower back spasms from the court.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Restaurants.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Experiences

Staples Center news:
•Get up to the minute Los Angeles Concert tour news
•Garth Brooks To Play Staples Center Benefit Shows For Fire Victims
•Bon Jovi Staples Center
•Van Halen Staples Center Dec 14th
•Wild try to continue hot start in LA
•Hyundai Returns to X Games 13 Rally Car Racing
• Rumorville Eric Clapton to play the Staples Center
• Grady Brewer wins 'Contender 2' in a split decision over Steve Forbes
• Cirque comes the LA Staples Center

Phil Jackson news:
• Lakers coach Jackson fined US$25,000
• Phil Jackson to have hip surgery