Clipppers Sign Davis from Miami

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Clippers on Monday signed guard Ricky Davis to a multi-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 21st overall pick in the 1998 draft out of Iowa, the well-traveled Davis spent last season with the Miami Heat, averaging 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the injury-ravaged club, which finished with the worst record in the NBA.

"We believe he will be a good addition," Clippers vice president of basketball operations Elgin Baylor said. "His versatility and ability to shoot from the outside will spread the floor and help our low post players." The 28-year-old Davis has averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 10 seasons with five teams prior to signing with the Clippers, who have been restructuring their roster this offseason.

Los Angeles, which now employs point guard Baron Davis, will have to find some shots for Ricky Davis, who is known as a shoot-first player.

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LA Clippers (23-56) at Golden State (48-31), 7:30 pm

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - If the Golden State Warriors are hoping to return to the playoffs they will need some help and have to take care of business on Saturday. The Warriors look to keep alive their slim postseason aspirations when they host the Los Angeles Clippers.

Golden State stumbled last time out, dropping a 114-105 decision to the Denver Nuggets here on Thursday. Denver (48-31), which holds the tiebreaker over Golden State, has a one-game lead for the final off spot with three contests left. "We've got a job to do, we've still got games," Warriors forward Stephen Jackson said. "We can't sit and dwell on this game because we lost. Definitely, everybody's upset, but at the same time we can't do anything about it. We've got to get ready to play the next game."

Following Saturday's matchup, Golden State visits Phoenix before closing out the 2007-08 campaign at home against Seattle. The Clippers are also coming off a setback on Thursday, losing 106-78 to the Los Angeles Lakers. Elton Brand scored 22 points and rookie Al Thornton added 22 and 10 rebounds in the loss. After missing most the entire season with a ruptured Achilles' tendon, Brand has slowly returned to form, averaging 18.6 points in five games.

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Denver (46-31) at LA Clippers (23-54), 7:30 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets look to get back on track when they visit to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. With just five games remaining, the Nuggets enter tied with Golden State (46-31) for the eighth and final postseason spot in the Western Conference. On Sunday, Denver was on the short end of a 151-147 double-overtime loss to the Seattle SuperSonics, despite 38 points from Anthony. In their last trip to the Staples Center, Allen Iverson scored 29 points but the Nuggets still dropped a 101-90 decision to the Clippers on November 21. Josh Powell had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers in a 105-79 loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday. The Clippers might be without the services of Corey Maggette, who strained his right hamstring in the first quarter of the loss.

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LA Clippers (21-41) at Orlando (41-24), 4:00 pm

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- The Orlando Magic go for their fifth win in six games on Wednesday against the lowly Los Angeles Clippers. The Magic, who lead the Southeast Division by 9 1/2 games, are coming off a 123-112 victory over Atlanta.

Hedo Turkoglu had a triple-double for Orlando, finishing with 23 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds. Dwight Howard had his 10th straight double-double for the Magic and 56th of the season, finishing with 26 points and 18 rebounds. Howard leads the league with 14.5 rebounds per game.

Los Angeles, which has been without the services of power forward Elton Brand (ruptured Achilles tendon) and Shaun Livingston (knee) all season, is 2-8 in its last 10 games. But the Clippers are coming off a 99-98 victory on Monday over Miami, owners of the league's worst record. Clippers center Chris Kaman, who missed five games at the end of January due to a left shin injury, didn't play against the Heat due to a sore lower back and is not expected to be available to face Orlando. Corey Maggette is averaging 24.5 points in his last eight games for Los Angeles.

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Washington (24-27) at LA Clippers (17-32), 7:30 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - The Washington Wizards look to end their longest losing streak of the season when they visit the Los Angles Clippers on Tuesday.

The Wizards are mired in their first eight-game losing streak since the 2001-02 season and haven't lost nine straight since achieving the feat twice during the 2000-01 campaign. Washington had a strong chance of breaking out of its slump on Monday, but let a 23-point second-quarter lead slip away en route to a 120-117 setback to the Golden State Warriors. It was the second straight narrow loss for the Wizards, who fell, 108-107, to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

The Clippers have won three of their last five games, including a 96-89 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. Rookie Al Thornton led the way, scoring 25 points on 12-of-20 shooting. Thornton is averaging just 10.2 points and 3.6 rebounds this season, but has scored at least 18 points in each of his last three games.

LA Clippers (15-30) at Boston (36-9), 4:30 pm
BOSTON (Ticker) - With Kevin Garnett in street clothes, the Boston Celtics have struggled on the defensive end of the floor. The Celtics look to tighten up defensively Wednesday when they host the lowly Los Angeles Clippers. Garnet, who has missed the past four games with a strained abdominal muscle, watched his team struggle in Tuesday's 114-113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. It tied a season high in points allowed by Boston, which allowed Cleveland to shoot 51 percent (40-of-79). Boston leads the league in scoring defense - allowing 88.2 points per game - and field goal percentage defense - allowing 41.9 percent shooting this season. Celtics coach Doc Rivers insists that Garnett will not take the floor until he is 100 percent healthy. They are currently 2-2 in his absence. The Clippers have lost 17 of their last 23 games and are buried in last place in the Pacific Division. Center Chris Kaman continues to be the team's lone bright spot, averaging 17.2 points and 13.8 rebounds. Corey Maggette scored 19 points to lead the Clippers to a 103-94 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday.

LA Lakers (31-16) at Atlanta (20-24), 4:00 pm
ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Pau Gasol attempts to build on an impressive debut for his new team Wednesday when the Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks. In his first game since being acquired Friday from the Memphis Grizzlies, Gasol collected 24 points and 12 rebounds in a 105-90 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday. With the win over New Jersey, Los Angeles improved to 3-1 on its season-high nine-game road trip that concludes February 24. The Hawks are aiming for their third win in as many games on their four-game homestand. Atlanta is 14-9 at Philips Arena. Josh Smith had 19 points, nine assists and nine blocks to lead the Hawks to a 96-91 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.

SoCal NBA Capsule

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- In a game pitting two teams most likely not headed to the playoffs, the Los Angeles Clippers appeared like they wanted the win more. Corey Maggette scored 19 points points as the Clippers rallied from a 14-point deficit and recorded a 103-94 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

Chris Kaman added 15 points and nine rebounds for Los Angeles, which snapped a nine-game road losing streak and also improved to 1-2 on its season-high seven-game road trip. Maggette and Kaman both returned on Monday after missing four games apiece with the flu - an ailment which affected coach Mike Dunleavy, who missed the game in favor of assistant coach Kim Hughes.

After falling behind by 14 late in the first half, the Clippers were down by nine at halftime. They gradually cut into the deficit and went ahead for good when Josh Powell rebounded a miss by rookie Al Thornton and converted the putback for a 72-70 lead with 1:49 left. Los Angeles took a 79-74 edge into the fourth but struggled to put the game away for most of the period. The Clippers saw the lead reduced to two when Jamal Crawford hit a 21-footer with 3:56 remaining, but Powell scored four straight points. Eddy Curry scored 19 points for the Knicks.

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LA Clippers (14-29) at Cleveland (25-20) 7:30 pm

CLEVELAND (Ticker) - After a fantastic January, the Cleveland Cavaliers look to continue their winning ways in February when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

The Cavaliers were an Eastern Conference-best 11-3 in January after having the fifth worst record in the conference early in December. Cleveland's performance was its best since posting a 10-2 record in February, 1996. LeBron James, who was named Eastern Conference player of the month, was key to the Cavaliers success, averaging 32.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 13 January games. James was forced to miss Cleveland's last game on Thursday - a 101-95 loss to the dismal Seattle SuperSonics - after injuring his right ankle just before halftime against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. With Thursday's loss, the Cavs are 0-6 this season without James.

If James returns on Saturday, the Clippers will have a difficult time picking up a win on the road, where they have dropped eight straight games. Los Angeles opened a season-high seven game road trip on Friday with a 104-83 setback to the Minnesota Timberwolves, its 16th loss in the last 21 games.

SoCal NBA Capsule

By Jonathan Raber
SportsTicker Contributing Writer

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Healthy or not, the Los Angeles Clippers found a momentary cure for their ills. Rookie Al Thornton scored a career-high 33 points as the undermanned Clippers stopped a three-game slide with a 95-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Tim Thomas finished with 14 points and nine rebounds and Sam Cassell added 14 points for the Clippers, who dressed only nine players for the second straight game due to injuries and illness. "I just tried to come out here and play hard, we've been in a drought," Thornton said. "We have two of our main guys, Corey (Maggette) and (Chris) Kaman out. I tried to step up and provide some scoring."

Los Angeles was again without its two top scorers, center Kaman and swingman Maggette, as both continue to sit out because of the flu. Thornton almost joined the duo on the bench as he also was feeling the effects of some flu-like symptoms, but turned out to be the Clippers' sparkplug against the Hawks. "I was able to get into a nice little rhythm, I was able to get into a zone and that was it," Thornton said. "My teammates kept coming to me, so I shot the ball."

SoCal NBA Capsule

CHARLOTTE 107, LA CLIPPERS 100 ---------------------

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Gerald Wallace finished with 23 points, eight assists and six rebounds and Jason Richardson scored 20 as the Charlotte Bobcats opened a five-game road trip with a 107-100 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Emeka Okafor contributed 14 points and nine rebounds for the Bobcats, who entered the game with just three road wins, the second-worst total in the NBA.

After a disappointing loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, which led coach Sam Vincent to question the team's desire, the Bobcats weren't lacking any intensity against the Clippers. They never trailed, had seven players in double-figures and managed a season-high 33 assists.

The Clippers, on the other hand, were just looking for enough healthy bodies to suit up. Plagued by injuries all season, Los Angeles dressed only nine players against Charlotte. The Clippers were missing two starters - center Chris Kaman and guard Corey Maggette - who each were suffering from the flu.

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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.

Clippers Must Win Now

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling made Mike Dunleavy one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA. Despite a slew of injuries, Sterling expects more from his investment, according to a published report Tuesday.

Sterling was left wanting more from his team and coach after what he perceived to be a lack of effort in a 109-93 home loss on Monday to the Utah Jazz. "I'm not happy," Sterling told the Los Angeles Times. "The fans aren't happy, and can't be happy when they don't see a motivated performance. "I want to make L.A. fans proud of this team, but if (vice president of basketball operations Elgin Baylor and Mike Dunleavy) can't make it happen, then I have no choice but to make changes."

Dunleavy is just 37 games into a four-year contract extension worth $22 million, one of the five richest deals among NBA coaches. "That's why I'm paying (Dunleavy) the money I am," Sterling told the Times. "I want to see him win. I don't want to tell him how to do it. I'm just interested in the conclusion. My whole philosophy is hire the best people and let them do their jobs. "There is no alternative, you have to rely on them, and if it doesn't work out, either you're patient or make changes, right?" Unfortunately for the Clippers' franchise, it almost always has been the latter, as Dunleavy is the first coach in franchise history to coach five consecutive seasons since the team joined the league in 1970-1971.

The Clippers currently are mired in last place in the Pacific Division with a 12-25 record, the sixth-worst mark in the NBA. The poor performance is a far cry from the 2005-06 season, when Los Angeles went 47-35 before advancing to the Western Conference semifinals. Dunleavy, 53, has amassed a 164-176 record in four-plus seasons with the Clippers. Earlier in the season, he surpassed Jack Ramsey (158) as the franchise's all-time winningest coach.

After a 40-42 campaign a season ago, Los Angeles could be forgiven for having lowered expectations, losing All-Star forward Elton Brand to an Achilles' injury over the summer. Injuries have permeated throughout the roster, somewhat overshadowing the emergence of center Chris Kaman - the only Clipper to play in every game this season.

However, Dunleavy sounded more upset at the organization's unwillingness to make the necessary changes to his roster than he did with his team's bad luck. "I'm very frustrated too," Dunleavy told the Times. "But I'm also frustrated with the organization. I saw this coming, but had two deals out there that they didn't want to do. It contributed to where we are now." The team continues to hold out hope that Brand and promising guard Shaun Livingston, who suffered a gruesome knee injury last March, can return before the end of the season.

So Cal NBA Capsule

Utah 109, Los Angeles 93 -------------------------------------------

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz found a cure for their road woes - the Los Angeles Clippers. Williams scored 18 points and added 12 assists to make up for a poor day from Carlos Boozer as the Jazz posted a 109-93 victory over the Clippers on Monday.

An All-Star power forward, Boozer finished with just 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting for the Jazz, who improved on their dismal road mark thanks to Williams and a solid supporting cast. "It was definitely a good win, especially with the effort we got and the help we got from the bench," Williams said. Utah, which had not won on the road since December 21, shot 57 percent (45-of-79) from the floor and had seven players in double figures in scoring en route to its second win over Los Angeles in the last three days. The Jazz beat the Clippers, 106-88, in Utah on Friday.

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New Jersey (18-20) at LA Clippers (11-24), 7:30 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - The New Jersey Nets are hoping a trip out west will help correct their recent struggles. The Nets open a season-high six-game Western Conference road trip on Saturday when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers.

New Jersey lost its final three games during a recent four-game homestand and four of its last five overall. However, the Nets have won four of their last five on the road. All five starters scored in double-figures during the Nets last game on Wednesday, but the effort wasn't enough as the losing streak continued with a 111-105 setback against the New York Knicks.

Things may not get any easier on Saturday as New Jersey has lost three-straight on the road against the Clippers. But, Los Angeles has also been struggling of late, losing 11 of its last 13 games, including a 106-88 drubbing against the Utah Jazz on Friday.

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LA Clippers (11-23) at Utah (22-18), 6:00 pm
SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) - The Utah Jazz should be happy to see home after watching their winning streak get snapped on a brief one-game trip. The Jazz will be looking to start a new streak when they host the lowly Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.

Utah had its four-game winning streak snapped in a 120-109 loss at Denver on Thursday. Deron Williams scored 23 points and handed out 12 assists and Carlos Boozer added 18 points and 11 rebounds, but the Jazz had no answer for Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza, who scored a career-high 41 points. The 120 points allowed at Denver was the second-highest total the Jazz have allowed this season. But the home court has been kind to Utah this season, as the club owns a 16-3 record and is in the midst of a six-game winning streak at Energy Solutions Arena. Williams is averaging 10.4 assists per game at home as opposed to 7.9 on the road.

The Clippers should be an easy target on Friday, owning a 5-10 mark on the road. Los Angeles has lost 10 of its last 12 games. Sam Cassell is making noise about a possible trade, but the veteran point guard focused on the Clippers long enough on lead them to a 97-90 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Cassell had 32 points, six rebounds and seven assists in the triumph.

Clippers Get Rare Win

Jonathan Raber
SportsTicker Contributing Writer

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Sam Cassell found his shooting touch and the Los Angeles Clippers found a win. Struggling in his previous four games, Cassell bounced back to score 32 points to lead the Clippers to a rare home victory, 97-90, over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. Corey Maggette finished with 21 points and Tim Thomas added 11 for Los Angeles, which had lost 17 of its previous 22 home games to the Suns. "Sam shot lights out, which was really big, that was a big key to this game," Maggette said. "He just caught fire and propelled our team to the next level." The Clippers, who had lost 10 of their last 11 games, also snapped a four-game losing streak - all of which came at Staples Center.

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Phoenix (26-11) at LA Clippers (10-23), 7:30 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Despite feeling the lingering effects of a flu that forced him to miss a game, Steve Nash still had his best offensive game of the season in the Phoenix Suns' latest victory. Nash and the Suns target their fourth win in five games when they meet the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. In winning its seventh contest in nine tries, Phoenix received 35 points from Nash in a 122-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. Amare Stoudemire added 31 points while Boris Diaw, who started in place of Grant Hill (appendectomy), added a season-high 21 and 11 rebounds. The Clippers are coming off Saturday's 95-94 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Los Angeles has lost all three meetings this season and 17 of its last 22 against Phoenix.

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San Antonio (22-9) at LA Clippers (10-20), 12:30 pm
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs hope to continue their winning ways against the slumping Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Duncan and the Spurs go in search of their sixth consecutive win over the Clippers, who have just five wins in the series since the start of the 19797-98 campaign - a span of 38 meetings.

In the first matchup this season, Duncan registered 34 points and 18 rebounds to outshine Chris Kaman, helping San Antonio capture a 99-90 triumph on December 22. On Friday, defensive specialist Bruce Bowen poured in 15 points to lead four others in double figures to lift the Spurs to a slim 97-93 victory over the New York Knicks.

The injury-plagued Clippers dropped their seventh game in eight tries with Wednesday's 95-81 setback to the New Orleans Hornets despite 20 points from Corey Maggette. If Los Angeles is going to have any chance in this one, Kaman will have to forget about his dismal 1-of-10 shooting outing against the Hornets. The 7-footer has 24 double-doubles on the season. The Clippers are seeking their first home win over the defending champions on February 7, 2006.

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Minnesota (4-25) at LA Clippers (9-19), 6:30 pm, FSNPT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Clippers are watching injuries ruin their season. For the Timberwolves, inexperience appears to be the culprit. A pair of struggling teams meet Monday when the Clippers host the Timberwolves. Los Angeles is playing without star forward Elton Brand, who has missed the entire season and will not be back until at least February with an Achilles injury, and point guard Shaun Livingston, who is expected to miss the whole season with numerous ligament tears in his knee. Veteran Sam Cassell made his return from a calf injury last week in time to see Paul Davis and Tim Thomas both get forced out of the lineup with injuries. As a result, the the Clippers have lost their last six games - failing to top 92 points in any of the contests. Minnesota is playing with a lineup long on talent but short on experience with an average age of just over 25. The Wolves currently own the NBA's worst record, and rank at the bottom of the league in both offense and defense.

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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.