(SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Lakers had a small winning streak snuffed out their last time on the floor, but they'll try to start a new one Tuesday night when they welcome the Utah Jazz to Staples Center.
The Lakers had won two in a row until a 92-86 setback Sunday night against the Chicago Bulls.
Chris Kaman had a season-high 27 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for the Lakers, who have lost five in a row at home. Jordan Hill and Kendall Marshall donated 15 and 13 points, respectively.
Los Angeles guard Steve Nash, playing his third game after missing 39 because of a nerve problem in his back, played just over 21 minutes before leaving in the third quarter because of irritation in his left leg.
The two-time former MVP expects to play on Tuesday against the Jazz.
"I wasn't that scared initially because it was such an innocuous play," Nash said after practice Monday. "It didn't really hurt that much on the contact. When I tried to push off, I felt the nerve really light up. Kind of frustrating more than anything. It's something that we can, I hope, get under control quickly here because it doesn't feel like something that's too serious.
"There's no reason to sit out if it's better tomorrow, and I feel pretty good. But if it is an issue, then I'm definitely not going to try to jeopardize it any further."
The Lakers are already without Kobe Bryant (knee), Pau Gasol (groin), Xavier Henry (knee), Jodie Meeks (ankle), Nick Young (knee) and Jordan Farmar (calf/hamstring).
The Jazz ended a four-game losing streak in a monumental way on Saturday, upsetting the two-time defending NBA champion Miami Heat, 94-89, in Salt Lake City.
Utah held the Heat under 90 points for the first time in 27 games.
"It was good defense by us. We forced them into indecisions," Gordon Hayward said. That's what's frustrating. We see we can do this, but we need to do this every night."
Trey Burke hit the game-sealing jumper and Marvin Williams scored 23 points. Richard Jefferson scored 14, Burke 13 and Alec Burks 12 for Utah.
Burke credited Miami's Ray Allen with helping his confidence.
"He was basically just talking to me about getting a routine early on in your career," Burke said. "Taking care of your body and the proper amount of rest, all the little things that veterans do that rookies should do. I took a lot away from it."
The two teams split this season's meetings with each team winning at home. The Jazz are 3-12 in their last 15 as the visitor in this series.
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