Los Angeles will be rocking tonight when the Lakers (14-22) are the visitors in their own building, the Staples Center, against the Clippers (25-13) in a game that looks pretty on paper, but will be missing each team's biggest star. Watch the game on ESPN or live stream it free by clicking this link. Lakers fans unable to watch the game can listen on 710 ESPN, while Clippers fans with the same problem can hear their own announcers on KFWB 980 AM.
The Lakers have been trying to soldier on without Kobe Bryant, while the Clippers must forge ahead the next few weeks without world-class point guard Chris Paul. The Clippers have won their last two games without Paul, however, which has pleased head coach Doc Rivers.
"I've been very encouraged," Rivers said. "I've got to do a better job figuring out the second unit. I've got to keep a couple of starters on with both groups because with Chris out and with J.J. (Redick) out it changes a little bit, too."
Against Boston on Wednesday, Blake Griffin proved he can pick up the slack by netting 29 points and handing out eight assists. Darren Collison has filled in for Paul, and is scoring 16.2 points per game in his absence. The offense changes with Collison at the helm, according to Jared Dudley. "(Paul) kind of has the ball in his hands a lot, he's the quarterback," said Dudley.
"When he's not there, we kind of do (more of a) spread formation where you get the ball to Blake down low, let him dominate, get out in transition, let Jamal (run), so we can kind of pick and choose our shots better."
The Lakers did okay without Bryant and Steve Nash early in the year, but are beginning to self-destruct with Pau Gasol leading a group of bench players. Kendall Marshall has taken the reins at point guard, and is putting up startling assist numbers, but has struggled with turnovers also.
"That's probably the number one factor in why we're losing," coach Mike D'Antoni told the team's official website. "We're giving up between 20, 25 and 35 points off turnovers. When we get our halfcourt defense set, we're in the top half."
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