The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on Friday.

The Clippers (11-11) have been one of the streakiest teams in the NBA. They started with a disastrous 1-4 record but followed it up with an impressive seven-game winning streak. That made it look like Los Angeles put things together, but seven losses in their last 10 games since then have undone all that good work. The most recent defeat on Tuesday was especially disturbing, being blown out by the Sacramento Kings at home. They did play that game without Paul George but it's still a game where this team is expected to take care of business. That shows just how weak this team can be at times because it's one thing to be missing Kawhi Leonard, but missing George as well makes this a non-competitive team.

The Lakers (12-11) have had their fair share of struggles as well, but three wins in their last four games is an encouraging sign. What's driving fans crazy is the fact that they can't get all of these superstars on the floor at the same time. It's now LeBron James who's missing games, dealing with an ab injury, and then being sent into COVID protocols on Monday. The good news is that he's asymptomatic, according to reports, and it looks like he'll be back in a minimum of 10 days. That has allowed Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis to gel, though, and that's just as important as anything. As long as all three of those guys are on the floor, this is a team no one wants to face.

These teams played three times last season, with the Clippers sweeping the season series. In addition, the Clippers have won 28 of their last 35 games over the Lakers in this series, dating back to 2012.