Lakers vs. Clippers: When and Where to Catch Saturday's Action

Talk about a thriller set to go down in the City of Angels.

For the first time since the two-game sweep of the L.A. Lakers in the NBA's preseason, the new-look, CP3-led L.A. Clippers go up against their hometown rivals.

The Clippers come into this matchup with as much momentum as they have had all season, having just taken down the Miami Heat in stunning come-from-behind fashion.

Meanwhile the Lakers come into this contest on a 9-4 start that has the doubters keeping quiet quickly, as they have gradually proven that the two losses to the Clippers early on were anything but telling.

Leading the charge for the Lakers is sure-fire Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant. Bryant has been on a mission as of late, putting together three-straight 40-point performances in what has helped the Lakers to five consecutive wins going into this contest.

Here is everything you need to know about the battle for the city in L.A. between the Clippers and Lakers.

Where: Los Angeles California, CA (technically a home game for the Clippers)

When: Jan. 14, 2012 at 10:30 p.m. EST, 7:30 p.m. PST

Where to Watch: NBATV, KCAL, Prime Ticket

X-Factor for the Lakers: Kobe Bryant

Bryant comes into this contest fresh off of three consecutive 40-point games, and will look to keep the point scoring going against the Clippers.

When Bryant is scoring points, there is question the Lakers become that much more difficult of a team to keep up with. Expect Bryant to take shots early and often in this one.

X-Factor for the Clippers: Chris Paul

What became evident in the last outing for the L.A. Clippers was that if Paul steps up offensively, this team is as difficult to beat as any team in the NBA.

No question about it.

Paul was the main reason the Clippers were able to come from behind against the Heat, putting the ball on the floor and getting the ball to the rim at will. Not to mention his passes were giving talents like Caron Butler superb looks at the basket from three-point range.

His 27 points and 11 assists were both game-highs in this contest.

Prediction

The L.A. Clippers will find themselves dropping a game to the Lakers, as the streaking Lakers will get the best of the new-look, talented Clippers team.

Lakers 104, Clippers 95