It's Time To Worry Southern California!

The Clippers & Lakers haven't
had the best of weeks.

It's Time To Worry Southern California!  The Lakers and Clippers are quickly losing momentum in their playoff series against the Nuggets and Grizzlies respectively.

For the Lakers, they have lost two consecutive games in their opening round series with the Nuggets, and now face the pivotal Game 7 tomorrow night at Staples Center.  Kobe Bryant seems to be the only one who has contributed for the team.  Even with his "Flu Game" last night, he has averaged 37 points in the past two games.  Both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum have come up small in the two losses.  A star like Gasol should not be averaging the 6 points he has over the past two playoff games.  Bynum has double-doubles in the past two games, but has not been a defensive force.  Both Gasol and Bynum have playoff experience and need to step up for the Lakers to win Game 7 and avoid another playoff collapse (Remember 2006?).  Denver is a very hot team that carries the momentum heading into tomorrow's Game 7.  They have the fight to steal the series from the Lakers after victories in back-to-back elimination games and last night's 113-96 victory in Denver.  They are trying to become the 9th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit to win the series.

For the Clippers, they are banged up heading into tonight's Game 6 against the Grizzlies.  Blake Griffin and Chris Paul both got hurt in Wednesday's Game 5, and Caron Butler is playing with a broken left hand.  Although they are all expected to play, their health and productivity is uncertain.  Memphis is always a tough team to prepare for because they have so much depth on their roster and weapons at every position.  They offer a similar fight to Denver because they play each game with high energy and intensity.  Throughout the series, the Clippers have faced the same problems that both the Spurs and Thunder struggled with in last year's playoffs against the Grizzlies, and tonight's Game 6 should be no different.

For the Clippers' Game 6 tonight and the Lakers' Game 7 tomorrow, both teams will have their home crowd behind them at Staples Center.  The Clippers are undefeated at home this postseason and the Lakers welcome back Metta World Peace from his 7-game suspension.  If they do not take care of business, the Lakers and Clippers could become the ninth and tenth teams in NBA History to blow 3-1 series deficits.