The last time the Los Angeles Lakers met their Staples Center rivals, they were in a celebratory mood. LeBron James had just returned to the lineup. They earned a huge win that boosted their playoff chances. All seemed well in Lakerland as they toppled the Clippers as they had for decades.
This game has serious playoff implications, and each team will be desperate for a victory. Technically hosting Monday night’s showdown, the Lakers enter having lost their last two games, including a crucial loss to the lowly Suns. They’re now 30-33, and four and a half games out of the eighth spot in the West.
How to watch Clippers at Lakers
Date: Monday, Mar. 4
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Location: Staples Center — Los Angeles, California
TV: NBA TV
Streaming: fuboTV (free trial – NBA League Pass add-on available)
Live stats: GameTracker
Odds: Lakers -4
Suit up and roll #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/GGhI2LFEmw
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 3, 2019
That is not where the Lakers are right now. They are reeling following a disastrous stretch in which they lost to the New Orleans Pelicans without Anthony Davis, the Memphis Grizzlies without Jaren Jackson, and on Saturday, the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers have an absolutely brutal schedule down the stretch, yet they still managed to come out flat against three of the easiest teams on their slate.
This team is on life support right now. They need every win they can get just to stay in the hunt, and they need even more Clippers losses. They’ll have to try to get both tonight with Brandon Ingram out. He has discomfort in his shoulder, and despite playing the full game on Saturday, he isn’t healthy enough to suit up tonight. Here are the starting lineups without him.