Game Preview: Lakers, Kobe Bryant take final trip to Roaracle to face the Warriors

The Los Angeles Lakers are fresh off a win, albeit an ugly one, but are heading straight into the buzzsaw that is the Golden State Warriors. Free-throws kept them alive against the New Orleans Pelicans, but as we've seen in the previous two meetings, every shot from the Warriors seems to be free-throw level difficultly when they play the Lakers.

Klay Thompson demolished the Lakers last time around, and the previous meeting was a complete blowout. The phrase "third time's a charm" should strike fear in fans of the purple and gold, because if Golden State dominates the Lakers any harder, the franchise might just be docked a championship. Or at least one of those Pacific Division titles, shouts to the Clippers.

Kobe Bryant's status for the game is in question after he left the Lakers' win over the Pelicans early because of his strained right Achilles. Brandon Bass is considered doubtful after tweaking his ankle, just a few days after missing a game because of an eye injury. D'Angelo Russell made his return after his own ankle injury and should be good to go against Stephen Curry and the Dubs.

We're at the halfway point in January and the Lakers' play over the last week has been poor. Back-to-back ugly outings leave much to be desired, but as the Lakers get closer and closer to the midpoint of the season, it's becoming more and more clear this team isn't any closer to a turning point than before.

Enjoy the game, if only because you're watching the Warriors' wizardry.

Time: 7:30 p.m. PT

TV: TWCSN, TNT