COMING ATTRACTIONS

Let’s play two?

Ready or not, both local teams are at home today against quality opponents, needing to generate some good news for a change.

The Clippers, trying to hang on to their No. 8 slot in the Western Conference standings, meet Detroit at noon. They haven’t beaten a team with a winning record since a Jan. 31 victory over the 26-19 Bulls.

The Clippers have three wins all season over the top six teams: Nov. 4 over Phoenix, which was in the midst of its 1-5 start; Nov. 8 over Dallas in the midst of its 0-4 start; and Dec. 23 in Houston, the game in which Yao Ming was injured.

The Lakers, who meet Dallas at 6 p.m., are down two starters and have lost 11 of 14.

They’re still 2 1/2 games ahead of No. 7 Denver. However, they’re also 5 1/2 games behind No. 5 Houston, and looking at a first-round matchup with No. 3 San Antonio.

--MARK HEISLER