LAKERS vs CLIPPERS (PRE-GAME REPORT)

The Lakers play on a road game tonight, only to find themselves back in Staples Center just down the hall from their normal lockers. Yes it's another Laker - Clipper game. I honestly think they should bring back The Great Western Forum, just for the Lakers.

The Clippers just recently snapped their 12 game losing streak on Saturday, only to go back to losing against the T-Wolves on Monday. But you can't really blame them. This team since last meeting, has been plagued wit injuries. Losing 4 of their 5(possible) starters in Baron Davis(tailbone), Chris Kaman(foot), Zach Randolph(knee), and Marcus Camby(ankle). And in their absence, the younger guys have been stepping up. Sophomore, Al Thornton leads the way for this L.A. team doing almost everything. Rookie, Eric Gordon and 3rd year player Mardy Collins have been doing it for their frontcourt. But it's still not enough with the toll of this team's injuries.

The Lakers on the other hand just came off a huge win against champ contenders, Cavaliers. Kobe after dislocating his right ring finger still wants to play reguardless of the pain or the team the Lakers are playing. Warrior status right there son! In the two previous games against the Clippers, the Lakers beat the L.A. rivals by margins of 38pts in the first, and 18pts in the second game. Of course at the time they didn't have Zach Randolph yet, but I guess they won't have him tonight either.

Injury prone Clippers will start DeAndre Jordan and Brian Skinner in the absence of their original injured bigs. Which is just lovely since we have Bynum and Pau. Same gameplan tonight, feed it inside! It's a problem for every team that goes up against the Lakers. So why not exploit it? I can't see the Lakers losing this one, though the Clips may get close condidering they're a sub-500. team. Lakers take a win tonight.