Almost neck and neck in the Western Conference standings, familiar foes the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers will do battle at the Intuit Dome on Wednesday.
The hosts take to their court seeking to bounce back from a defeat to the Toronto Raptors last time out, while the visitors make the short journey across town with a seventh win in eight matches firmly in their sights.
Match preview
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Seeking to round off their four-game road trip with win number three on the bounce, the Clippers were made to pay for a lethargic third-quarter display in Sunday's 115-108 defeat against the Raptors at Scotiabank Arena.
A back-and-forth first half saw Tyronn Lue's men go in level at half time, but a slow start to the third quarter saw them head into the final 12 minutes down 15, and despite a late surge, they were unable to turn things around.
Managing just 14 points on 6-18 shooting from the field, Kawhi Leonard endured one of his worst games since returning to action, but all-star guard James Harden put on another solid display with 25 points, five rebounds and seven assists.
Now 28-21 for the season, the Clippers remain sixth in a tightly packed Western Conference standings where the fourth and ninth-placed teams are separated by just four wins approaching the 50-game mark.
In the first of four consecutive games on home turf, Wednesday's hosts now go in search of a second win against their biggest rivals this year before welcoming the Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies.
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In what is inarguably the biggest move of the off-season, the Los Angeles Lakers sent the whole basketball world into a frenzy by completing a stunning trade for Luka Doncic which sent Anthony Davis the other way.
Despite a recent upturn in form, JJ Redick's men remained keen on landing a major addition before the February 6 trade deadline, but no one would have expected them to acquire a player of Doncic's stature.
Having just recently completed a blockbuster move off the court, the Lakers are also excelling on it at the moment, having won six of their last seven matches following Sunday's 128-112 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Recording his second triple-double since turning 40, LeBron James was once again the point of difference for the Lakers as he notched 33 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists, while Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura chipped in with a combined 48 points.
Just one place ahead of the Clippers leading up to Wednesday's clash, the visitors have the opportunity to pull further clear of their rivals and wrap up a six-match road trip in style before tipping off a three-game homestretch with a clash against the Golden State Warriors.
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Team News
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Patty Mills was unable to make his Clippers debut against the Raptors with his trade from the Utah Jazz still pending, but the guard is expected to be eligible to feature here.
Kris Dunn (knee) and Cam Christie (ankle) are huge doubts to feature here, while Norman Powell's availability is also hanging in the balance due to a right hip soreness.
Luka Doncic will have to wait a little longer for his Lakers debut as he continues to nurse an abdomen problem that has sidelined him since Christmas Day.
Fellow arrival from the Mavericks Maxi Kleber is currently nursing a foot problem and is also out of contention for the visitors alongside Christian Wood (knee).
Twenty-five-year-old Cam Reddish has missed each of the last two matches due to personal reasons but could be back in time to play a part in Wednesday's meeting.
Los Angeles Clippers possible starting five:
Harden, Coffey; Leonard, Jones Jr.; Zubac
Los Angeles Lakers possible starting five:
Reaves, Vincent; James, Hachimura; Hayes
We say: Clippers to win by 6+ points
Meetings between the Clippers and the Lakers tend to be enthralling, and we are expecting another absorbing contest here.
Wednesday's affair could easily swing either way, but we are leaning towards a win for the home side.
Adepoju Marvellous
