GAME: L.A. Lakers Lakers (53-25) at L.A. Clippers Clippers (23-55)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 10 - 10:30 PM EST
SPREAD: Los Angeles 16 TOTAL: 208.5

The Los Angeles Clippers are mercifully set to play the last game of what has been a terrible season at Staples Center . The crosstown rival Lakers, meanwhile, are trying to ensure themselves of some extra games there in the playoffs.

The Lakers, in a tight race for home-court advantage in the Western Conference, look to complete a series sweep of a Clippers team playing its final home game of the season Thursday night.

The Clippers (23-55) are 13-27 at Staples, the arena they share with the Lakers (53-25). The draft lottery-bound Clippers have lost three straight and 11 of their last 13 at home.

The Lakers (53-25), on the other hand, have enjoyed a significant advantage at Staples, going 27-11 there. After Thursday's "road" game, the Lakers play their final three games of the season at home.

That bodes well for the Lakers, who are making a run at the top spot in the West, as well as trying to secure home-court advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs.

The Lakers missed a chance to gain ground on West-leading New Orleans on Tuesday, losing 112-103 to Portland , but a matchup with the Clippers gives them a good chance to at least keep pace Wednesday.

The Lakers are 3-0 against the Clippers this season, outscoring them by an average of 25.3 points. The Lakers shot 60.9 percent (14-for-23) from 3-point range in a 119-82 win over the Clippers on March 7.

The Lakers, though, had a four-game winning streak snapped in their last game, and the Clippers have forward Elton Brand back in the lineup and are looking to play spoiler down the stretch. The Clippers conclude the season with three road games against top teams in the West: Golden State , New Orleans and Houston .

"We just want to win some games," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "Against the teams that we are playing, obviously a victory will be of some consequence."

Even with Brand back, injuries remain a hindrance for the Clippers. Brand has played four straight games after missing the season's first 74 while recovering from Achilles' tendon surgery, but starters Chris Kaman (sprained right ankle) and Corey Maggette (strained right hamstring) sat out the Clippers' 117-99 loss to Denver on Tuesday night.

Kaman and Maggette are uncertain for Thursday's game. The Clippers are 3-19 without Kaman this season.

Tim Thomas, meanwhile, returned versus the Nuggets after missing five games with a sore Achilles' tendon, finishing with seven points and five rebounds off the bench.

"Once we get healthy, it won't be like this again," said Brand, averaging 17.5 points and 6.8 rebounds since returning. "We have the talent, we just have to get it on the court."

The 6-foot-8 Brand was the Clippers' tallest starter Tuesday. He had 17 points and eight rebounds, but the Clippers lost for the 22nd time in 26 games.

While the Clippers are averaging just 94.0 points on the season, the Lakers rank fourth in the league with 108.5 per game.

Lakers star Kobe Bryant is averaging 32.9 points in his last nine games, but has been held to 16.5 in his last two contests against the Clippers.

Other Lakers Clippers News
Clippers News
Clippers vs. Lakers

Future Sports Star:

Kevin Love
Kevin Love has shown a skill level that is absolutely unheard of amongst big men in the college ranks-knocking down NBA 3-pointers with ease, putting the ball on the floor with either hand, using pump-fakes, spin-moves, jump-stops and creating his own shot with fantastic footwork. He's rebounding the ball well, throwing beautiful outlet passes, contesting shots around the basket, and even coming up with a few blocks on occasion.

•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 3 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 6 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 3 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 1 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•WCF Game 4 Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•WCF Game 1 Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bulls vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•NBA Finals Game 3 Preview: Magic vs. Lakers
•NBA Finals Game 1 Preview: Magic vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 4 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Rockets vs Lakers
•Playoff Game 3 Preview: Rockets vs Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Rockets vs Lakers
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 3 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Trailblazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Wizards vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Magic vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pacers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 6 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 4 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 3 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 1 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Game 5 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 4 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 1 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 5 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Game 3 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Lakers Head to Seattle Without Injured Bynum
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bulls vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs Lakers 12/05/07
•Preview: Timberwolves vs Lakers 12/04/07
•Preview: Nuggets vs Lakers 11/29/07
•Preview: Sonics vs Lakers 11/27/07
•Spurs vs Lakers Preview 11/13/07
•Preview: New Orleans Hornets at L.A. Lakers
•Lakers vs Rockets Preview 12/12/06
•Lakers vs Spurs Preview 12/10/06
•Lakers Vs Hawks Preview 12/08/06
•Lakers Vs Pacers 12/04/06
•Lakers Vs Clippers Preview 12/02/06
•Lakers vs Jazz Preview 11-30-06
•Lakers vs Bucks preview 11/28/06
•Lakers vs Nets preview 11/26/06
•Lakers vs Jazz preview 11/24/06
•Lakers vs Clippers preview 11/21/06
•Lakers vs Bulls preview 11/18/06
•Lakers Vs Raptors Preview
•Lakers Vs Pistons Preview
•Lakers Vs Grizzlies Preview
•Lakers Vs Pistons Preview
•Timberwolves Vs Lakers Preview
•Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview
• Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview
• Lakers Vs Warriors Preview
• Lakers Vs Suns Preview

Jordan Farmar news:
•Rookie Farmar says he's living Hollywood dream with Lakers
• Grizzlies challenge Farmar
• Stars come out at Camp
• NBA considerations distant memory for pair of eager Cats

Kobe Bryant news:
•Kobe Bryant apologizes to Lakers GM
•Kobe Bryant Wins Scoring Title
•Kobe has most popular jersey in USA, China
•Bryant Proves the Best
•Wade beats Bryant for another Skills Challenge win
•Memorabilia Offered by Kobe Bryant and Upper Deck
•Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Suspended
•Why did Kobe change to 24?
•Kobe Bryant: Won't Play This Week
•Kobe Bryant to Collab with Lil Wayne
•Lakers' Kobe Bryant ready for another run as NBA season nears
•Kobe Bryant Dunk Videos
•Kobe Bryant Videos
•Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07 for PlayStation
•Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07

Los Angeles news:
• Los Angeles news
•Los Angeles Concerts news
• Beckham Signs with Los Angeles Galaxy
• Top 10 Most Valuable NBA Franchise
• 10 Ten things to do in Los Angeles
• Lower back spasms from the court.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Restaurants.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Experiences

JR Pinnock news:
• Lakers sign JR Pinnock

Smush Parker news:
• Smush Parker Basketball Camp

Staples Center news:
•Get up to the minute Los Angeles Concert tour news
•Garth Brooks To Play Staples Center Benefit Shows For Fire Victims
•Bon Jovi Staples Center
•Van Halen Staples Center Dec 14th
•Wild try to continue hot start in LA
•Hyundai Returns to X Games 13 Rally Car Racing
• Rumorville Eric Clapton to play the Staples Center
• Grady Brewer wins 'Contender 2' in a split decision over Steve Forbes
• Cirque comes the LA Staples Center

Phil Jackson news:
• Lakers coach Jackson fined US$25,000
• Phil Jackson to have hip surgery