Lakers vs. Warriors preview: L.A. opens 6-game homestand

The Los Angeles Lakers return home to Staples Center on Friday night to host the Golden St. Warriors in the first game of a six-game homestand. The Lakers at 1-4 are off to their worst start since the 1993-1994 campaign.

The Lakers suffered another loss on Wednesday in Utah, a 95-86 defeat to the Jazz, thanks in part to poor shooting. The Lakers shot just 33.8% (25 for 74) from the field, their lowest field goal percentage in a game since Feb. 27, 2009, when they shot 29.8% (28 for 94) against Denver.

But despite four losses in their first five games, embattled head coach Mike Brown sees improvement from the purple and gold.

"I really think that we’re getting better and so I’m going to point out to these guys what we’re doing wrong, but I’m also going to point out to them what we’re doing right," Brown told Dave McMenamin of ESPN LA. "I’m not going to beat them over the head with it, but I’m going to keep coaching, keep coaching, keep coaching because it’s a long process as opposed to it needed to happen yesterday with everything."

The Lakers have beaten the Warriors four straight times overall, and eight straight times in Los Angeles. Golden State has begun their season 3-2 but will be without Andrew Bogut for at least a week as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery.

Kobe Bryant is off to a hot start for the Lakers, second in the league in scoring (27.2 points per game) while shooting 56.0% from the field and 91.7% from the free throw line.

Friday's 7:30 p.m. PT game will be televised by Time Warner Cable SportsNet.