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Karl Malone has never been one to hold his tongue. Yet, when asked if the Lakers needed to prove their mettle against stiff competition in the Western Conference, the Louisiana Lip was succinct. "Absolutely," Malone said. "If anybody says it's not important, they're lying." The Lakers are 0-2 against the Kings, 0-3 against the Timberwolves and haven't beaten any of the West's elite teams since a Dec. 4 victory over Dallas. They host Sacramento tonight in the second half of a doubleheader on ESPN -- Indiana hosts Dallas (8 p.m. EST) in the first game. Shaq & Co. welcome the Timberwolves Friday on ESPN (10:30 p.m. EST). Although a long shot, the Lakers (47-23) have a chance of catching the Kings (51-20) for the top seed in the West. They already have lost the season series to Minnesota (49-22), but can assure themselves of home-court advantage in a playoff series against the Wolves by finishing with a better record. Of course, San Antonio (46-25) figures into the equation, as do the Memphis Grizzlies (44-26), who've won eight of their last 10.

Sunday on ABC: Dallas at Orlando (1:30 p.m.. EST). The Mavericks currently have five players -- Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley, Antoine Walker, Steve Nash and Antawn Jamison -- averaging at least 14 points. The last time this occurred was in 1996-97, when the Celtics had Walker, David Wesley, Rick Fox, Eric Williams and Todd Day all average better than 14.0 points.

The 11th Gallaudet University Biennial Congressional Basketball Classic will take place tonight. It's a no-holds-barred basketball game between Republican and Democratic Congresspersons. Bob Lanier and Mike Glenn are the coaches.

With a win tonight over Dallas, the Pacers tie the franchise record for victories against West teams in a single season (20), set in 1999-2000, the year Indiana made it to the Finals. Jermaine O'Neal is listed as doubtful with a bruised knee. The Pacers are a combined 11-2 without one of their three top scorers -- 6-2 without Ron Artest, 3-0 without Al Harrington and 2-0 without O'Neal.

The Grizzlies are 14-4 since the All-Star break heading into tonight's game against the Knicks. Only the Lakers (16-4) have been hotter since the break.

Minnesota has beaten the Nuggets eight straight times. The last Denver win was an 88-87 decision on April 4, 2002, at the Pepsi Center. The Wolves are allowing only 81.4 ppg during that eight-game run, and have kept Denver under 100 in each of the last 13.

ABOUT LAST NIGHT

Tuesday, March 23, 2004 Highlights: Joe Johnson matched a career high with 31 points as the Suns handed the Cavaliers their third straight loss 103-86 ... Jamaal Magloire buried a leaner from the left elbow as time expired to lift the Hornets to an 82-81 victory over the Detroit Pistons, who had their eight-game winning streak snapped ... Tim Duncan had 26 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks, but Kevin Garnett countered with 27, 10, four and three to help Minnesota defeat San Antonio 86-81 ... Pau Gasol scored 29 points and Stromile Swift added 21 as the Grizzlies ran their March record to a franchise-best 9-2 with a 95-86 victory over the Toronto Raptors ... Michael Redd scored 26 points and Keith Van Horn had 22 and 11 rebounds as the Bucks snapped a season-high five-game losing streak with a 112-101 victory over the Kings at Arco Arena.

Transactions: Cleveland signed Lee Nailon for the remainder of the season ... Washington activated Chris Whitney and placed Jarvis Hayes (strained left hamstring) on the injured list.