Can it get worse? Can it get better? Do the Sonics have any answers, any heart, any chance tonight?

To the latter question, probably not. They face the world champion Los Angeles Lakers, the same team that dusted the Sonics Nov. 30 at KeyArena without Shaquille O'Neal, who was ejected in the first quarter.

With O'Neal back and the game being played at Staples Center, the likelihood of the Sonics breaking a four-game losing streak is not good.

The Lakers are 16-2 and have lost only one home game in eight months. The Sonics are 9-14 and have lost five in a row on the road. The combination is a disastrous one for a reeling team trying to find its identity, not to mention the hoop.

The plan is for the Sonics to develop into a championship contender someday. But the only thing that's growing these days is coach Nate McMillan's frustration.

McMillan lashed into his troops yesterday after a lackluster practice in which none of the Sonics showed much spirit. It's surprising, given the urgency of their status in the standings, already 9 1/2 games behind the Lakers in the Pacific Division.

"After having a day off, I would expect us to come in and go to work," McMillan said. "Some guys worked, some guys didn't. Work hard on your game, work hard to make your teammates better and try to figure out what's going on. ... Any time things are not going well, you work harder."