SoCal NBA Preview

LA Clippers (8-13) at Memphis (6-15),5:00 pm
MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) - The lowly Memphis Grizzlies look to snap their five-game losing streak Friday when they welcome the Los Angeles Clippers. In their most recently outing, Rudy Gay had 20 points and eight rebounds and Pau Gasol added 18 and eight in Tuesday's 113-103 setback to the Detroit Pistons. Grizzlies second-year guard Kyle Lowry has stepped his offensive game up the past three outings, averaging 15.6 points and 5.0 assists over this stretch. On its second stop on a four-game road trip, Memphis stumbled against the Charlotte Bobcats, 108-103, on Wednesday with Corey Maggette leading the way with 23 points. Clippers big man Chris Kaman registered his seventh consecutive double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds in the win. The Grizzlies have dropped three in the series and eight of the last 11 overall.

LA Lakers (13-8) at Golden State (12-10), 7:30 , ESPN
OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Lakers try to continue their dominance over the Golden State Warriors on Friday. The Lakers have won nine consecutive meetings against the Warriors with their last loss coming on April 18, 2005. Los Angeles has also won 14 of the last 15 contests overall against Golden State. This is the second meeting between the teams in less than a week. Kobe Bryant scored 28 points and added a season-high eight assists to lead the Lakers to a 123-113 victory on Sunday for their third straight win overall. Los Angeles extended its winning streak during their last game on Thursday, claiming a 102-97 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, who were without perennial All-Star Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. After a 105-95 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, the Warriors are looking to respond at home, where they've won three straight and six of their last seven. Golden State was without Monta Ellis against the Trail Blazers as the point guard was forced to miss his first game of the season with a thigh injury. Ellis, the Warriors' third-leading scorer, is a game-time decision against the Lakers.