The Los Angeles Lakers look to snap a three-game losing streak Wednesday night as they host the Los Angeles Clippers in the second of three battles for Staples Center this season. This is a designated home game for the Lakers, their only home game of the three meetings with the Clippers this season.
If the Clippers win on Wednesday, they will clinch the season series against the Lakers for just the third time in their history. The 1992-1993 Clippers won three of five games against the Lakers, and the 1974-1975 Buffalo Braves beat the Lakers in all four meetings.
Chris Paul is expected to return to the Clippers after missing five games with a strained left hamstring. Paul last played against the Lakers on January 14, scoring 33 points and dishing out six assists in a 102-94 Clipper victory.
More: Clippers-Lakers game preview
For the Lakers, their offense has been an issue, having failed to score 100 points in 17 of 18 games this season. They have scored under 100 in 11 straight games and averaged just 86 points in their last five games, which include four losses. Pau Gasol, who has been more of a jump shooter, wants the ball more in the post.
"I would like to get a little more inside, myself," Gasol told Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times after Sunday's loss to Indiana. "I always like to have different looks and be able to attack from different angles, and in the second half I didn't have one chance to attack from the post."
The Lakers are 9-2 at home this season, but 9-3 at Staples Center. The Clippers are 8-2 in the building this season, and have won 24 of their last 31 home games dating back to last season.
Wednesday night's 7:30 p.m. PST contest will be televised by both Fox Sports West (Lakers) and Prime Ticket (Clippers). For more news and notes on both teams, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll and Clips Nation.