Grammys send teams packing

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are in the midst of eight-game road trips, because when the Grammy Awards take over the Staples Center this week, the hoops squads will be sent packing.

The Lakers opened their trip with a back-to-back last week at Cleveland and New York, and will now travel to Toronto, Washington, Indiana, Philadelphia, Boston and Memphis. The Lakers won’t play at home again until Feb. 3 against Charlotte.

The Lakers will play three sets of back-to-backs on the trip.

“Traveling in the wintertime, you never know what’s going to happen,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “Delayed flights or the plane has to be de-iced and you don’t get in until 4 in the morning. Those are always things that are problematic on these types of things.”

The Clippers began their trip last week in Denver and will play at Washington, Boston, New Jersey, Minnesota, Cleveland, Chicago and Atlanta before returning to Staples on Feb. 6 to play San Antonio.

As they packed to head out on the road, the Lakers boasted the best record in the league (32-9), but that mark was compiled while playing a schedule that was very home-friendly.

Before this trip, the Lakers had played only 15 road games, which was far fewer than the other top teams in the league. Cleveland had played 25 road games, Boston and Dallas had played 22 each and Denver 20.

The Lakers had opened the season by playing 17 of their first 21 games at home.

“Most of November was obviously a homestand,” said Jackson.

A long road lies ahead, but Kobe Bryant doesn’t think life on the road is all that bad.

“It’s eight games and it’s a long trip,” he said. “(But) it’s not necessarily like you’re out there struggling. You get room service. You have maids come in and clean up the room. You play a game in a different environment, that’s all.”

He bowls them over

Houston guard Aaron Brooks has a knack for finishing drives to the hoop by spinning the ball off the glass, and part of that is due to practicing those shots. But Brooks also credits his passion for bowling, which he says has strengthened his hands and has given him a feel for spinning the ball.

“I bowl a ton, all the time,” said Brooks, who averages 195. “My mom and dad met in a bowling alley. I do spin the ball. I like to think that has something to do with it.”

A tip from Chauncey

Count Denver’s Chauncey Billups among those who think the All-Star fan balloting system needs to be changed.

Allen Iverson, who is having the worst season of his career, was voted to start by his adoring fans. Tracy McGrady, who has been injured most of the season and has been granted a leave of absence from the Rockets, was almost voted in as a starter. Billups suggests letting the players have a bigger voice in the balloting.

“You end up having guys that are in that position that are taking away from some deserving guys,” Billups said. “You probably want to give the fans something to do with it, but that’s way too much (the way it is now). Everybody (the players) knows who should be there or who is playing good enough as far as your peers.”

He’s struggling

Entering Friday, Golden State center Andris Biedrins had made 1 of 14 free-throw attempts this season. He has tried different ways to improve, including shooting underhanded, but is convinced his problem at the foul line is more mental than anything.

“When I go to the line, there are so many things in my head,” he said. “I’ve got to concentrate and throw everything else out of my mind and make that shot.”

Home cooking

The Mavericks have won nine straight one-point games, dating to the 2007-08 season. Guard Jason Terry said the streak was a reflection on the team’s veteran leadership, especially guard Jason Kidd.

“We’ve got guys who have played in big games and tough, close ballgames,” Terry said. “In that situation, it’s second nature to us. We’ve got a great point guard who knows who to get the ball to. We’ve won it by the shot and by defense.”

Hey, bro!

Twin brothers Robin Lopez of Phoenix and Brook Lopez of New Jersey started against each other last week, the first such matchup since Jarron and Jason Collins in 2007.

Robin finished with 20 points and seven rebounds in 34 minutes in the Suns’ victory, while Brook had 26 points and 13 rebounds in 36 minutes.

“We don’t talk on the floor,” Robin said. “It’s all business.”