Mihm Is Hopeful He’ll Return Soon

As his teammates bounced up and down the court, Chris Mihm worked out on a stair-climbing machine, moving up and down rhythmically, another positive indicator in a Laker season that has taken a recent turn for the better.

Mihm could have missed the rest of the regular season because of a severely sprained right ankle but said he would return sooner, his progress moving along better than expected.

“We’ve gotten the swelling out,� he said Wednesday. “It’s healing pretty quickly. We’re pushing it more and more, day by day, and it’s responding well.�

He still feels some pain but is able to put an increased amount of weight on the ankle. He has missed eight games and has tried to stay in shape by swimming.

“Hopefully my body still retains the shape that I had worked myself into before this, and I can get back there with some games and practice before the playoffs,� said Mihm, who is averaging 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds.

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Lest the Lakers forget who tonight’s opponent is, Laker Coach Phil Jackson stoked the fire a bit by referring to San Antonio forward Bruce Bowen as “Edward Scissorhands.�

Bowen, one of the better and more active defenders in the league, will again cover Kobe Bryant. Bowen was fined $10,000 for kicking Seattle guard Ray Allen in the back during the Spurs’ 106-102 loss Sunday.

“Bowen’s hands and feet are always moving,� Jackson said. “Lot of things going on out there.�

Bryant has averaged 32.3 points and only 39.4% shooting in three games against the Spurs this season.

Mindful of the Lakers’ four-game winning streak at Staples Center, Jackson also expressed hope they would continue to establish home-court success by playing a “macho kind of game� against the Spurs.

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Lower Merion (Pa.) High, also known as Bryant’s springboard, won a state championship for the first time since Bryant led the Aces in 1996.

“It’s exciting,� said Bryant, who talked to team members on their bus ride to the state tournament Saturday in Hershey. “I’m very proud of them. What can I say, man? LM!�

After the Aces’ surprising 60-58 victory over Pittsburgh Schenley, Bryant’s former coach, Gregg Downer, uncorked a celebratory dance that would have made a former Laker blush.

“I’ve seen it,� Bryant said. “It makes Mark Madsen look like Missy Elliott.�

TONIGHT

vs. San Antonio, 7:30, TNT

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570; 1330.

Records -- Lakers 38-34; Spurs 55-16.

Record vs. Spurs -- 1-2.

Update -- The Spurs hold a 1 1/2 -game lead over Dallas for the best record in the Western Conference. San Antonio played without guard Tony Parker (bruised right shin) but had a team season-high 32 assists in a 98-87 victory Tuesday over the Clippers. Laker guard Smush Parker (jammed right thumb) and Bryant (back spasms) are both expected to play.