One of the most talked about storylines in the NBA this season has been centered on the Battle for Los Angeles with the Lakers and the Clippers going head-to-head for the distinction as the top dog in the Pacific division and in the City of Angels. This all began with the Clippers being able to get their hands on superstar point guard Chris Paul after the Lakers trade to acquire the perennial superstar was vetoed.

After a few heated preseason games, the crosscourt rivalry was better than ever with neither team wanting to back down an inch and tempers flaring. With the matchup between these two L.A. teams being physical to say the least, there has been a lot of trash talk and bad blood as they both battle it out for the Pacific division title which has been the Lakers to lose for decades.

Coming into Wednesday night’s showdown at the Staples Center, the Lakers and Clippers were evenly matched. The only thing the Lakers had going against them were the recent injuries to Kobe Bryant (shin) and Andrew Bynum (ankle). With Bynum a game-time decision and Kobe limping, the Lakers were in trouble from the get go, but neither player showed any sign of an injury as they combined for 66 points.

Andrew Bynum led all scorers on Wednesday with 35 points while Kobe Bryant added 31. The Lakers had a commanding lead throughout the game, but the Clippers eventually chipped away that lead and made it too close for comfort late in the fourth.

Fortunately for the Lakers, Kobe Bryant sealed the deal with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and helped lead the Lakers to victory, 113-108.

Despite the close call towards the end of the game, it was clear that the Los Angeles Lakers are the better team and rolling at the right time with the playoffs right around the corner.

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