LA Story: Clippers take on city-rival Lakers

The Clippers will serve as the visitor in this matchup and are just a half game behind the idle Golden State Warriors for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, they have lost three in a row, including a 103-100 overtime setback to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets on Tuesday at the Ford Center.

Elton Brand had 37 points and 10 boards for the Clippers, who have dropped the first two games of a three-game road trip and fell to 13-26 as the guest this season. Corey Maggette ended with 24 points in a losing cause.

On the injury front for the Clippers, guard Sam Cassell (back spasms) is questionable for Thursday’s game. Cassell has missed four straight games and has competed sparingly since the beginning of March.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have lost four of five and six of their last eight games. They suffered a 115-111 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday at the Pepsi Center, as Kobe Bryant scored a team-high 23 points for the Lakers, who are two games behind the Nuggets for the sixth spot in the West standings.

Luke Walton scored 19 points, Lamar Odom added 18 and Andrew Bynum recorded 16 points for the Lakers. The Lakers are now back at home where they are 24-15 in 2006-07.

In injury news for the Lakers, center Kwame Brown (ankle) is doubtful for Thursday’s game against the Clippers. Brown has missed the last four games and is averaging 8.3 points and 6.1 rebounds this season.

Thursday’s game between cross-town rivals is the fourth and final meeting of the regular season. The Lakers lead the series by a 2-1 count, and have won three of four and four of the last six encounters.

The Clippers have lost two straight, nine of 11 and 16 of their last 19 games as the visitor in this series.