The final game of the regular season has the Los Angeles Lakers (57-24) against the Los Angeles Clippers (28-53) in a “home away from home” road game.
The Lakers now have their 8th seed opponent in Oklahoma City.
They’re hoping to avoid further injury to their core before the playoffs officially start. Jordan Farmar is the latest to suffer an injury, with a strained left hamstring from yesterday’s 106-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
Which is the last thing the bench needs. Especially now.
This game for the Clippers may be over pride more than anything, as they are often considered an afterthought when people think of L.A. basketball.
The Clippers are missing the postseason for the 15th time in 17 seasons. They’ve be derailed by injuries, starting with the number one overall pick, Blake Griffin.
Now starting point guard Baron Davis is on the list with a sprained right wrist.
But the Clippers are in position to take a season split against the Lakers as opposed to being swept the past two seasons.
With a Lakers win and an Orlando loss tonight will have L.A. with home-court advantage if a rematch of the finals occur.
The Lakers may chose to rest the remaining ailing players for this game. But if not, here are the projected starters.
PROJECTED STARTERS:
LAKERS:
(C) P. Gasol
(PF) L. Odom
(SF) R. Artest
(SG) S. Brown
(PG) D. Fisher
Injuries:
K. Bryant (knee/right index) is out.
A. Bynum (left Achilles) is out.
J. Farmar (left hamstring.
CLIPPERS:
(C) C. Kaman
(PF) D. Jordan
(SF) T. Outlaw
(SG) R. Butler
(PG) S. Blake
Injuries:
B. Davis (right wrist) is out.
D. Gooden (right knee) is out.
E. Gordon (viral infection) is questionable.
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