SoCal NBA Preview

LA Clippers (13-25) at New Orleans (29-12), 5:00 pm, KTLA
NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) - The surging New Orleans Hornets go for their seventh straight victory when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. New Orleans, which owns the best record in the Western Conference, has won 14 of its last 16 games overall. The Hornets have not won seven straight games since winning eight in a row from February 19-March 7, 2003. New Orleans is coming off a 96-81 victory over Portland on Wednesday. Chris Paul had 18 points and 10 assists in the victory and the point guard has recorded six straight double-doubles. The Clippers, who have alternated wins and losses during their last six contests, have not won on the road since December 14 at Memphis - a span of five games. Rookie Al Thornton had 23 points in Wednesday's 111-85 victory over Sacramento, while Chris Kaman had his fourth straight double-double with 20 points and 21 rebounds. It was Kaman's third 20-20 game of the season. The Hornets have won both meetings against the Clippers this season and have won four in a row between the two teams overall.

LA Lakers (27-13) at Dallas (28-13), 5:30 pm, KCAL
DALLAS (Ticker) - Two teams who have stumbled after putting together seven-game winning streaks meet on Friday when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers have dropped two of their last three games after winning a season-high seven straight contests to start the new year. Kobe Bryant scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Lakers against the San Antonio Spurs during their last game on Wednesday. However, the defending champions were too much for Los Angeles as it suffered a 103-91 setback. Despite the absence of center Andrew Bynum, the Lakers dominated the boards, grabbing 55 total rebounds - 14 more than the Spurs. Bynum, who is averaging 13.1 points and a team-high 10.2 rebounds this season, is expected to miss eight weeks after MRI tests taken on January 14th revealed a subluxation of the patella and a bone bruise of his left knee. The Lakers are 2-2 without Bynum. The Mavericks have alternated losses and wins in their last four games after a seven-game winning streak and claimed a 102-95 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday. Devin Harris paced Dallas with 23 points and nine assists against the Bobcats. The 24-year-old guard continues to make strides in his fourth NBA season, averaging 14.5 points - over four points more than he averaged last campaign.