Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings - prediction, team news, form guide
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers - prediction, team news, form guide
 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers - prediction, team news, form guide
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers will reconvene for a second meeting in the space of three days at the Crypto.com Arena on Monday.
After claiming a hard-fought win last time out, the home side are now up 2-1 for the season's series against their visitors and have the opportunity to wrap things up with a win here.
Match preview
© Imago
Off the back of 14 wins from their most recent 17 matches either side of the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Lakers headed into Saturday's matchup against their city rivals as huge favourites and lived up to expectations.
Despite dealing with a couple of injury concerns, JJ Redick's men showed great resolve to edge a thrilling contest 106-103 to make it 17 wins from 21 matches since the middle of January, thanks in no small part to star duo Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
Doncic had a 26th birthday to remember as he notched 31 points in his first taste of the Los Angeles derby, while James recorded a sixth straight 25-point game with 28 as both men accounted for 55% of their team's total tally.
Opening up a five-win advantage over the Golden State Warriors in seventh, the Lakers are pulling away in the race for automatic playoff qualification and are now just two wins off the Denver Nuggets in second, having played two games fewer.
In the fourth of a six-game homestretch, a win on Monday to keep the juggernaut rolling would be a spring in the step for the home side before they entertain the challenge of the New Orleans Pelicans and the New York Knicks.
© Imago
After heading into the All-Star break on a run of three straight victories, the Los Angeles Clippers would have fancied themselves to go on a roll following their return to action but have since seen their momentum take a huge hit.
Back-to-back defeats against Eastern Conference opponents the Milwaukee Bucks, the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons were alleviated with a win over the Chicago Bulls to close February before Tyronn Lue's men were beaten by their arch rivals in March's opening affair.
However, this was not for a lack of trying, as four of the Clippers five starters on the day tallied double-digit points, with the exception of Derrick Jones Jr, who is primarily assigned defensive duties and had a team-high +/- score of 19.
While they remain sixth in the Western Conference standings on a 32-27 record, the Clippers are now in danger of having to miss out on an automatic spot in the postseason as the three teams directly beneath them also boast 32 wins.
Having had Kawhi Leonard return to action earlier this year, Monday's visitors will hope their superstar stays fit and healthy for what is set to be a crucial run-in from now till the end of the regular season in mid-April.
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Team News
© Imago
Maxi Kleber is still out of contention having undergone foot surgery in early February and is still at least about one month away from potentially returning to full fitness.
Rui Hachimura also misses out for the home side through a left patellar tendinopathy, while Austin Reaves is a huge doubt after coming off with a calf problem last time out.
Jordan Goodwin will be monitored on a daily basis to determine the severity of the ankle issue he sustained against the Clippers, but Monday's game is likely to come too soon.
Leading point scorer Norman Powell missed the Clippers' defeat to the Lakers through a knee problem and remains an injury concern for Wednesday's game.
The away side could also be without 19-year-old guard Trentyn Flowers, who has missed the last week of play with a wrist problem.
Los Angeles Lakers possible starting five:
Doncic, Knecht; James, Finney-Smith; Hayes Â
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Dallas Mavericks possible starting five:
Harden, Dunn; Leonard, Jones Jr.; Zubac
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