THROUGH THE WIRE: WEDNESDAY (01/26/10)

24. The Utah Jazz seem to be playing all the wrong notes at the moment. The Lakers beat them all throughout L.A.'s 120-91 win, Tuesday. Utah don't look worth their salt at the moment with a five game slide. This is their second-worst loss of the run, right now the Jazz sound flat. For the Lakers Kobe only needed three quarters to notch 21 on his record. If he had a spare quarter to make change, Kobe could of tramped up the all-time scoring list and pass as Hakeem Olajuwon as eight best. Kobe now needs just 13 points. More Lakers had points for proof as Gasol hit 20 and Bynum made his star shine, doubly bright with 19 and 11. Lamar Odom also furthered his case for leagues best sixth man with a Bynum jersey in points (17). The Lakers now also have an Odom jersey number for straight wins at home (7). The Lakers where up so much (38) that the crowd could even forgive reserve Shannon Brown for literally stuffing a dunk. Still despite this clanger the only turkeys Tuesday where Utah.

48. L.A.'s other team the Clippers where in Dallas, while the Lakers looked after the house at STAPLES. L.A. where Clipped as leading scorer Eric Gordon stayed at home with the Lakers as he is out injured for maybe a month. At one point the Clippers thought they'd lose star rookie, Blake Griffin two, as he hit the deck hard like his rookie trading card. Still, however all that was required was an ice pack as the Mavs healed a 15 deficit to recover a 112-105 win. Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 for Dallas while Tyson Chandler's 21, was a season-high. Jason Terry also recorded a season-high 28 points, while 25 points also came from J.J. Barea, as Dallas' bench looked polished and shined.

82. The luck of the Boston Irish is looking even better right now. Sure Shaq has definitely posted up big numbers and performances but the Celtics will be glad that Kendrick Perkins is front and centre back in green, starting for the first time since the finals. It's been seven months since Perk has seen time after a knee injury. Kendrick perked up with 7 points and 6 rebounds in just 16 minutes of play as him and his team impressively handled the Cleveland Cavs, 112-95 on Tuesday. "It felt good to be on the floor," Boston's paint patrolmen told press postgame. Still Perkins knows the best is yet to come, "I know I can do better. I can do more." We can't wait to see the better days from this underrated big men. There aren't many guys left in the L like Perk, team-mate Shaq knows this with retirement looming.

O.T. In other games Jackson and Brown banded together to claw their Bobcats past Sacramento...Portland can breathe a sigh of relief as the MRI on star forward Aldridge's hip is clear. With all the guys they've lost down on one knee to injury at least they haven't lost their best man. TIM DAVID HARVEY.