Preview: Lakers vs. Clippers

The Lakers (0-2) play their third game in four nights on Friday, hosting the Clippers (1-0) at Staples Center.

The Clippers opened the season on Thursday, defeating a short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder squad, 93-90.

In losses to the Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns, the Lakers have been outscored by 19 points a game. Injuries have played a significant role early in the season, with Nick Young (thumb), Julius Randle (broken leg), Steve Nash (back), Ryan Kelly (hamstring) and Wayne Ellington (concussion) missing time.

Ellington is healthy, but the Lakers are seriously lacking firepower -- especially on the second unit.

The Clippers are whole, minus Glen Davis who is out with a groin strain.

Key matchup

Though Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul don’t play the same position, they each drive their team’s offensive attacks. Both are hyper-competitive, but Paul operates as a playmaker first, while Bryant is a scorer through and through.

Paul is in his prime while Bryant is looking to prove that he is still one of the elite players in the NBA, after sitting out all but six games last season with knee and Achilles injuries.

In recent years, Paul and the Clippers have gotten the best of Bryant and the Lakers.

Judging by the Lakers’ recent play, and injuries, that trend is unlikely to change on Friday night.

The Lakers will presumably attack Paul defensively with Jeremy Lin and Ronnie Price. Small forward Matt Barnes may get more time on Bryant than Clippers shooting guard J.J. Redick.

Bryant needs to play well for the Lakers to win. The Clippers have enough weapons to survive the Lakers, even if Paul has a subpar performance.

X-factor

The Lakers need to handle more than Paul. Blake Griffin may be an MVP candidate this season.

Defending him will be no easy task. The Lakers will presumably start with Carlos Boozer against Griffin, but Jordan Hill and Ed Davis may also get time against the Clippers’ all-star power forward.

Davis has been a bright spot for the Lakers, a sorely needed one after rookie power forward Randle was lost for the season on opening night. In addition to being an efficient scorer, Davis is athletic and mobile enough to help protect the basket.

The Clippers protect the middle with DeAndre Jordan, who has grown in recent years to be a defensive presence.

Outlook

The Lakers upset the Clippers on opening night last year, but this year’s task may be too daunting.

Injuries have hurt a talent-thin Lakers roster.

The Clippers didn’t look like a world-beater on Thursday against the Thunder, but as the season progresses they should quickly distance themselves in the standings from the struggling Lakers.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus