The NBA preseason gets underway in Los Angeles on Monday night as the Los Angeles Lakers host the Los Angeles Clippers in the first of two games this week at Staples Center. After just two days of practice, Chris Paul makes his Clippers debut, while the Lakers play their first game under new head coach Mike Brown.
All of this occurs just six days before both teams begin their respective seasons with games on Christmas Day. Here are the relevant details for Monday night's contest:
Location: Staples Center, downtown Los Angeles
Home Team: The two teams share the building, but the Lakers are at home on Monday while the Clippers play in the home whites on Wednesday night.
Time: 7:30 p.m. PST
TV: So many options here; the Lakers' telecast is on Fox Sports West, with new play-by-play man Bill Macdonald and long-time analyst Stu Lantz; the Clippers' telecast will be on Prime Ticket, with Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith calling the action. The game will also be shown on NBA TV.
Last Season: The Lakers won three of four games against the Clippers last season, but it's a whole new world now. The Clippers added Paul, Chauncey Billups, and Caron Butler to their starting lineup, while the Lakers lost Lamar Odom and have yet to make any moves that wouldn't be described as ancillary.
Preseason Series History: The Lakers are 14-7 against the Clippers in the preseason dating back to 1979.
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