Wednesday’s best game features the offensively challenged Los Angeles Lakers hosting the L.A. Clippers, who are trying to win a season series against the Lakers for only the third time in franchise history.
But don’t call it a rivalry, yet.
Kobe Bryant had no problem scoring (42) in a losing effort against the Clippers in their first meeting this season. But despite Bryant leading the NBA with 30.5 points a game, the rest of the Lakers’ offense has been a box-office dud.
Pau Gasol is averaging a career low 15.8 ppg, Metta World Peace scored in double digits (11 points) for just the second time this month in a 98-96 loss to Indiana on Sunday, and the Lakers are last in the NBA from behind the 3-point arc making a pitiful 25.6 percent.
The Lakers (10-8) have failed to score 100 points for 11 straight games, have lost three in a row and are 6-5 overall during that stretch.
A fourth straight loss on Wednesday would be a harsh reminder of the 2011 playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks.
Injured Clippers point guard Chris Paul, after missing the last five games with a strained left hamstring suffered against the Lakers, could return and pick up right where he left off in a reserve role.
The Clippers (9-5) went 3-2 in Paul’s absence with their overabundance of point guards playing exceptionally well, most notably Mo Williams with 26 points (his third straight 20-plus game) in the Clippers 103-91 win over Toronto on Sunday.
Despite Matt Barnes trying to stir up some extra heat, Bryant played the matchup down. “I don’t care who it is right now. We need a win. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing next.”
The Lakers leading bench scorer, Steve Blake, remains out with a rib cartilage fracture.