Back spasms continue to plague the Lakers roster with backup guard Chris Duhon being the latest victim. After missing the second half of Sunday’s practice, according to Lakers reporter Mike Trudell, Duhon did not practice today either.
Chris Duhon (back spasms) is listed as “day to day”. He did not practice today. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow w/Philly in town.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 31, 2012
Duhon contributed three points, four rebounds and two assists in a little over 21 minutes of play in Friday night’s win against the Portland Trailblazers. He’s averaged 4.1 points per game on 42.7 percent shooting along with 3.7 assists in 28 games. Duhon 
started nine of those games while both Steve Nash and Steve Blake were nursing injuries. Fortunately for the Lakers, although Blake is still out of the rotation, Nash is back in full form (with 10 assists in the Lakers latest win).
Back spasms seem to be contagious in the Lakers locker room. Two weeks ago, Kobe Bryant played through back spasms in the Lakers’ 116-107 loss to the New York Knicks. Lakers backup center Jordan Hill missed the second half of that same game with back spasms, and continued to miss time over the next few days.
Bryant though has attributed his physical health and efficiency to a healthy diet in his interview on Lakers.com.
“What I’ve done…Is just train really hard and watch my diet and I think that’s the thing that catches guys most of the time.”
According to coach Mike D’Antoni in his interview on Lakers.com, there really shouldn’t be a limit on Kobe’s minutes this season, although he did mention the importance of Bryant being able to rest in the fourth quarter.
“He’s playing 40 minutes right now, and going as good as he’s ever gone, so there shouldn’t be a limit.”
The Lakers take on the Philadelphia 76ers on New Years Day at Staples Center. Although the Sixers are still without Andrew Bynum, they will have Jrue Holiday who missed the Lakers last win against Philadelphia.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Check out what Steve Nash had to say about his excessive minutes after the Lakers last game
httpvhd://youtu.be/TqAYyN7TB0Y
