SoCal NBA Preview

LA Clippers (5-2) at Golden State (0-6), 7:30 pm

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Golden State Warriors look to record their first win of the season Friday when they host the Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors nearly got their first victory in their last game on Wednesday. After scoring a season-high 40 points in the first quarter, they squandered a 22-point lead in the final frame, suffering a 111-104 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

Golden State made the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference last season and pulled off perhaps the greatest upset in NBA history, beating the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in six games in the opening round. But the Warriors are off to their second 0-6 start in three seasons. Golden State has not lost its first seven games to start a season since posting a franchise-worst 0-9 start to begin the 1997-98 campaign.

The Clippers, meanwhile, are off to a hot start this season despite being without All-Star forward Elton Brand, who has been sidelined with a torn Achilles tendon. Center Chris Kaman has done an outstanding job filling in for Brand, averaging 18.1 points and 14.3 rebounds. Kaman collected 14 points and 18 rebounds Wednesday as the Clippers held on for an 84-81 victory over the New York Knicks. Corey Maggette and Sam Cassell each added 13 points for Los Angeles, which snapped a two-game skid. The Clippers opened their season with a 120-114 victory over the Warriors but have dropped 13 of their last 16 contests at Golden State.

Detroit (6-2) at La Lakers (4-3), 7:30 pm, FSN

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - Despite an aging core of superstars, the Detroit Pistons appear to be poised to capture a fourth straight Central Division title. The Pistons go for their fourth win in five games on Friday when they face the Los Angeles Lakers.

Detroit's nucleus of Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace are the only four players on the same team in the Eastern Conference averaging over 15 points a game. The Pistons' combination of superstars has led them to the only winning record in the Central Division this season. Detroit has won two of its first three contests on their current five-game road trip - including a 111-104 victory against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. The win came without Billups and Antonio McDyess, who missed the game with a twisted knee and sprained shoulder, respectively. Both sets of x-rays came back negative, but it is uncertain if the duo will play on Friday.

Despite Kobe Bryant trade rumors which have circulated since last season, the Lakers are playing very well. Bryant is averaging 28.6 points per game and the Lakers are a game above .500 despite playing just one team with a losing record.