Two clubs heading in opposite directions meet Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
The Lakers host the Golden State Warriors in the second game of back-to-back matches for Los Angeles. The Lakers won for the eighth time in nine games by earning a 123-115 road victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
An ailing Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Davis has been playing through a sore right shoulder but also took a shot to the ribs versus the Suns.
"Obviously, we'll see," Davis told reporters when asked if he would play against the Warriors, deferring to the club's medical staff.
Kyle Kuzma had his best game of the season off the bench with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including two clutch 3-pointers down the stretch. LeBron James added 19 points, 11 assists and seven boards.
Los Angeles recorded 39 assists, the most for a Lakers team since 2009.
The Lakers will look to blow past the woeful Warriors, who have lost four in a row and seven of their past eight matches. Despite their recent troubles, it isn't all doom and gloom in the Bay Area.
"We understand it's a long season," said rookie forward Eric Paschall, who had eight points and six rebounds Monday in Golden State's 122-108 setback to the Utah Jazz in San Francisco. Paschall is averaging 15.6 points per game. "We play the game of basketball to win. We have a team full of competitors that want to win."
Warriors guard D'Angelo Russell scored 33 points, including 18 in a row in the third, and dished out eight assists versus the Jazz. Russell has scored at least 30 points in four straight games, all defeats.
Draymond Green returned after missing five games with an injured index finger. Green, however, was ineffective, finishing with four points, four assists and seven rebounds in 22 minutes before being ejected early in the fourth quarter.
Injuries continue to plague the Warriors. In addition to All-Stars Stephen Curry (left hand fracture) and Klay Thompson (left knee, ACL) being out, center Kevon Looney (neuropathy), guard Damion Lee (fractured right hand) and center Omari Spellman (left ankle sprain) aren't expected to play Wednesday.
