Lakers-Clippers Open Thread

Chris Paul hasn't played since the Lakers last faced the Clippers on January 14, but the word is he'll play tonight. Even though the Clips are 3-2 without him, two of those wins came against the Nets and Raptors and the offense has been bad in his absence. Likewise, the Lakers' offense has been pretty bad without Chris Paul. Unfortunately the Lakers have no future-Hall-of-Fame point guard taking the court for them tonight, unless you have radically optimistic expectations for Darius Morris's career path.

The Lakers, by the way, are four-point favorites in this one. Against the spread the Lakers are just 7-11 overall but 6-5 at home.

Have a round on me the too-friendly guy sitting next to you at the bar whenever someone mentions:

• How Caron Butler or Brian Cook used to be a Laker,
• Whether Pau Gasol is setting up too far from the basket,
• DeAndre Jordan's athleticism,
• How Mike Brown used to coach Mo Williams, or
• Transition defense.

END THE LOSING STREAK.