Community Picks: Orlando Magic 0% vs Los Angeles Lakers 0%

High times on the hardwood haven't been the norm for the Los Angeles Lakers during the past few seasons. The Lakers (14-26) hope to carry over that solid performance Sunday when they meet the Orlando Magic at Staples Center. The Lakers won for only fifth time in their last 20 games by crushing the Heat in a testy contest at Staples that featured a clash between Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson and Heat guard Goran Dragic, resulting in the ejection of both players in the third quarter. Continue to Article

January 08, 2017 1:08:am EST

Goran Dragic and Jordan Clarkson repeatedly collided while they fought for position with increasingly bad intentions. Clarkson finally knocked down Dragic with a shove. Although teammates and officials kept them apart before any punches flew, both the Heat's leading scorer and the Lakers' reserve guard were ejected. Continue to Article

January 07, 2017 2:31:am EST

The Houston Rockets are edging toward elite status in the Western Conference, and learning that the climb comes with challenges. Facing a struggling Orlando Magic team on Friday, the Rockets found themselves in a too-close-to-call contest for the second straight night before coming away with a 100-93 win for their seventh straight victory. Houston escaped against Oklahoma City with a two-point win at home Thursday night after leading by 18 in the second half. Continue to Article

January 06, 2017 11:44:pm EST

Hassan Whiteside has rejoined the Miami Heat in Los Angeles one week after a scary eye injury. Whiteside was held out of Friday night's game against the Lakers, but Miami coach Erik Spoelstra hopes the NBA's leading rebounder will be able to play Sunday against the Clippers. Whiteside got accidentally poked in the right eye by Jae Crowder in Boston on Dec. 30, and the Heat's second-leading scorer missed his fourth straight game Friday. Continue to Article

January 06, 2017 10:38:pm EST

Damian Lillard won't cure all the ills that plagued the Portland Trail Blazers over the past month, but the All-Star point guard's return after missing five games with a sprained left ankle in the Trail Blazers' 118-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday night was a welcome sight for his coaches and teammates. "It's always good to have your best player out there," Portland coach Terry Stotts said after Lillard contributed 21 points and 10 assists to the win over the Lakers. After playing 36 minutes against the Lakers, Lillard said he will be good to go Saturday night, when the Blazers (16-22) play host to the Detroit Pistons (17-21) at Moda Center. Continue to Article

January 06, 2017 6:57:pm EST