Face Of In Hollywood: Los Angeles Lakers Hosting Los Angeles Clippers
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Frank Martin
The last time Chris Paul played against the Los Angeles Lakers, he scored a season-high 33 points in a 102-94 victory. That was Jan. 14 and Paul has not played since after straining his left hamstring.
He may return when the Los Angeles Clippers play the Lakers on Wednesday night at Staples Center. Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said he will not make the decision until after Wednesday’s shoot-around. “They are trying to protect me from myself,” Paul said.
“I’ve been wanting to go for a while. But the team has been unbelievable in knowing what’s in my best interest. So, we’ll see how it goes (Wednesday).” The Lakers have lost three in a row, but are 20-4 as the home team against the Clippers, winning eight consecutive games. “It’s fun. That’s all I can say on my end,” Paul said of the budding Clippers-Lakers rivalry. “There’s excitement behind the city.”
- Los Angeles Clippers @ Los Angeles Lakers
When: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Clippers), FS West (Lakers)
The Lakers have opened as 3.5-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NBA Basketball Odds.
Los Angeles Clippers (9-5): While Paul could return to the court Wednesday, Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe could be headed to the team’s NBA Development League club in Bakersfield. That’s actually good news considering Bledsoe has not played all season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee. He practiced Tuesday and Del Negro hopes to give him some court time in Bakersfield, but said he had no timetable. Del Negro said the idea is “giving him some experience, in terms of just getting his mind right, getting some flow into the game.”
Los Angeles Lakers (10-8): Forget about proving who is the best basketball tenant at Staples Center - the Lakers need a win, period. “I don't care who it is right now. We need a win,” Kobe Bryant said. “It doesn't matter who we're playing next.” Pau Gasol, who is averaging just 13.8 points in the past five games, hopes to get more touches, but has not asked coach Mike Brown about incorporating him into more plays. “Pau is getting touches," Brown said. "No doubt about it, he's a great post-up player."
1. The Lakers failed to reach 100 points for the 11th consecutive game, the franchise's longest streak since a 12-game stretch Jan. 12-Feb. 2, 2004.
2. The Lakers are last in the NBA in 3-point shooting at 25.6 percent.
3. The Clippers are 7-1 when Caron Butler has at least five rebounds.
NBA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Lakers 94, Clippers 91
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caron butler - chris paul - eric bledsoe - kobe bryant - los angeles clippers - los angeles lakers - mike brown - staples center - vinny del negro