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Los Angeles Lakers need a win over Clippers to keep playoff hopes alive

By Nick Ziegler

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers puts up shot against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 31, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers puts up shot against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 31, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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On Monday night, the Los Angeles Lakers will be playing a huge game against the Los Angeles Clippers with major playoff implications at stake.

It has not been pretty for the Los Angeles Lakers of late. After the All-Star break, it looked like the Lakers were going to be able to gain some momentum after a big win against the Houston Rockets. However, since then, the Lakers have just constantly disappointed with road losses to the New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, and Phoenix Suns. All three among the worst teams in the league.

With 19 games left to play, the Lakers are 4.5 games behind the San Antonio Spurs for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Clippers were just able to recently hop the Spurs in the standings after a dominant win over the Knicks.

The playoffs are still within reach for the Lakers, but this is a team that just has consistently lost to bad opponents this season. Also, winning games on the road has proven to be a difficult task.

On Monday night, the Lakers will have a huge head-to-head matchup against the Clippers. As a team that is directly above them in the standings, the Lakers could gain a full game on them in the standings with a win.

However, this will not be an easy game for the Lakers. Despite trading Tobias Harris, the Clippers have been playing good basketball, and are looking like a playoff team right now. With a 6-4 record in their last 10 games, they have certainly been better than the Lakers.

With the Lakers trailing by 4.5 games in the standings, one could argue that this game will either make or break their playoff hopes. A win over a team above them in the standings could spark some hope, but a loss might be the final nail in the coffin.

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After an embarrassing loss to the Suns on Saturday, it will be interesting to see how the Lakers come out in this game. If they play like they did on Saturday, we can add another loss to their record.

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