LAKERS VS. CLEVELAND.

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., Forum.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports West; KLAC-AM (570).

Lakers (37-14) update: With 24 hours to go before Thursday's 3 p.m. trading deadline, the Lakers will keep exploring possibilities for a deal rather than immediately sign a CBA player to fill the roster spot created by Robert Horry's knee injury. Tonight they'll go with just 11 players, and if no trade can be consummated, L.A. will offer someone from the minors, perhaps ex-Cleveland High and UCLA star Trevor Wilson, a 10-day contract. All-Star guard Eddie Jones takes over for Horry at small forward, where Jones averaged 19.4 points and 3.6 steals in an 11-game stretch from Nov. 15 through Dec. 3 after Cedric Ceballos' knee injury. Nick Van Exel (ill) was back at practice Tuesday and will start alongside Kobe Bryant in the backcourt.

Cavaliers (28-22) update: Although not quite as formidable as it was last season, Cleveland remains the toughest team to score on in the NBA, holding the opposition to 85.0 points per game. At the other end, the Cavs are led by All-Star point guard Terrell Brandon, who was recently named the top quarterback in the league by Sports Illustrated. Ex-Clippers draftee Danny Ferry played through a painful toe injury to score 17 points in 30 minutes off the bench in Monday's 108-101 win over New Jersey, Cleveland's third straight triumph.