Warriors vs Lakers Preview: NBA Champions Search for Consistency While Lakers Look to Kick On

• The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors clash at Crypto.com Arena
• The Warriors are 9th in the Western Conference with the Lakers sitting in 13th
• Both sides are looking to secure an NBA playoff spot with the remaining games

NBA giants, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors clash in a massive Western Conference showdown, their first game since the just concluded All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Some big stars will be missing the game. Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins will be out, while LeBron James and Anthony Davis are probable.

The Warriors have struggled for consistency all season and their 29-29 record is a microcosm that perfectly encapsulates their campaign.

Curry's struggles with injuries haven't helped. Still, even with the two-time MVP, they've struggled to close out games.

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The Lakers have also failed to live up to the expectations. They started the season 2-10 but have improved as the season went on. General Manager, Robe Pelinka made wholesale changes before the February 9 NBA trade deadline, per CBS Sports.

Los Angeles acquired Rui Hachimura from Washington, D’Angelo Russell from Minnesota, and Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt from Utah. They hope the new faces will help them secure a playoff berth.

Warriors v Lakers

Los Angeles should be confident playing at home due to the Warriors' struggles away from home. They have a 7-22 away record, one of the worst in the league.

New Lakers players have already beaten the Warriors without James. Therefore, they have the upper hand heading into the game.

The Warriors have won just one of their last four games and are 2-3 without Curry. They have the 13th-best offense in the NBA, scoring 115.1 points per game. The Lakers are 22nd in offensive rating, putting up 113.6 points per game.

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Both teams allow 115 points per game; therefore, it should be entertaining, per StatMuse. The Warriors' offensive burden will fall to Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson, who must be on their game.

These teams faced each other before the break, with the Lakers winning 109-103 in San Francisco on Feb. 11. Can a depleted Warriors team stun the Lakers on their home court?

LeBron James' new goal

Sports Brief earlier reported on LeBron setting a new goal for the remainder of the regular season.

He said the remaining 23 games are his long career's most important regular season games.

The Lakers are 14th in the West with a 27-32 record and are a few games away from a play-in.