Divac Is Sidelined Again Because of Back Pain

Vlade Divac did not play Monday against Memphis because of a sore back, the latest setback this season for the 36-year-old center.

Divac had missed only six games the previous five seasons, but he has sat out 16 this season. Divac, who signed a two-year contract with the Lakers in July, initially hurt his back during an informal workout in September, sustaining a herniated disk after attempting to spin in the post.

Divac missed the entire exhibition season and 11 of the games that count before returning Nov. 23. He had sat out four of the last 11 games because of coach’s decision.

Divac, who will probably also be kept out of Wednesday’s game against New Orleans, is averaging 0.8 points in 4.1 minutes a game.

“I can’t make the movements that I usually do because I’m afraid of aggravating my back,” Divac said.

*

Forward Brian Grant will play against New Orleans, giving him one game to catch up before playing Saturday against Miami, his former team.

Grant, 32, was put on the injured list Nov. 23 to try to rehabilitate his right knee, which has been bothered by severe tendinitis. He was averaging 4.5 points and 3.3 rebounds, about one-third of his career averages.

“He was in pain a lot,” Laker Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. “I think this thing has worked, and hopefully it will be a positive.”

Grant will have missed 13 games.

*

Even Laker players are feeling the squeeze for tickets for Saturday’s game against Miami.

“I’m getting a lot of requests,” forward Caron Butler said, shaking his head. “Can’t do anything if it’s sold out. The game was sold out probably the day after the [Shaquille O’Neal] trade.”

Butler, who spent his first two seasons with the Heat before becoming one of three players acquired by the Lakers for O’Neal, said he has continued to monitor the Heat, paying particular attention to the current eight-game win streak.

“They’re on a roll,” Butler said. “A serious roll.”

*

Jerry West, president of basketball operations for Memphis, is in town but did not attend Monday’s game. He also did not go to Sunday’s Clipper-Memphis game.