After a potentially devastating blow to their chances at claiming the number one seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers head home to play a “road” game against the Clippers tonight. 
The last time the Lakers faced off against the Clippers on the purple and gold floor, Kobe and Co. manhandled the injury-ravaged Clips, defeating them 119-82. Derek Fisher led the team in scoring with 17 as one of seven players in double figures in one of the team’s most balanced scoring nights of the year. Corey Maggette led the Clippers with 22, but no other Clipper scored more than 14.
Since the loss, the Clippers have completely fallen off the Western Conference radar, losing 15 of their last 18 games, including a 10 game losing streak at one point. Heading into tonight’s showdown, the Lakers’ inner city rivals have lost three consecutive games, with a decisive 117-99 setback to Denver providing the latest proof of this season’s failures.
Although the Lakers will see Elton Brand suit up for the first time this year, the team should be much more focused considering their untimely loss to Portland two nights ago. After Tuesday’s practice, Jackson told reporters that he cautioned his team against overlooking the Clippers, reminding them that any lineup with Brand/Magette/Mobley in it still potent on top of the usual inner-city implications.
