The shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers are currently on a three-game losing streak and look to avoid making it four in a row as they take on their cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers. Both teams are playing without their superstars. Kobe Bryant due to his knee injury, and Chris Paul is expected to miss up to six weeks with a separated right shoulder.
At the beginning of the season, both teams had different expectations. The Lakers would look to fight for one of the last playoffs spots and the Clippers would try to break into the conversation of being a title contender for the first time in franchise history. Unfortunately, for the Lakers, the injuries woes continued to haunt them as they did last season. However, the Lakers are still looking to stay as close as they can to one of the final playoff spots as players try to recover from injuries.
In the first meeting between these two teams, the Lakers were able to come out and have one of their best wins of the season, beating the Clippers 116-103. This time around, Mike D’Antoni has a much thinner roster to work with, as they try to get one win in their four-game road trip as it comes to an end. With a win tonight, the Lakers will get their 15th win of the season. The same number of wins the team had at this point of last season, when they were favorites to win the NBA Championship.
Mike D’Antoni on Lakers’ season opening win over Clippers: “It’s been downhill since then.”
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) January 10, 2014
-For a preview of tonight’s game click here
D’Antoni says when X gets reevaluated on Monday he could either play on the roadtrip or be out for the rest of the season (on @ESPNLA710)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) January 10, 2014
-Read more about Xavier Henry here
D’Antoni hopes Kobe, Nash return Jan. 28 vs. Indy, right after Lakers’ 12-day road trip: “Hopefully both of them are ready.”
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) January 10, 2014
-For more about Kobe Bryant returning click here
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