L.A. Lakers: Preseason Schedule Released, 2 Games Versus Clippers

The Los Angeles Lakers are scheduled to play their two preseason games versus the Los Angeles Clippers in a crosstown, hallway, tune-up rivalry series, announced earlier today through the Lakers' official website.

The Lakers will host the Clippers at STAPLES Center on December 19th.

The Lakers will "travel" for an away game versus the Clippers at STAPLES Center on December 21st.

A welcomed outcome from the lockout, this two-game preseason appears built to be as accommodating as possible to NBA teams by scheduling the two lone games versus the same team—one home, one away—and by decreasing travel time in between games through matchups with teams in close proximity.

For example, the Sacramento Kings are expected to play their preseason games versus the Golden State Warriors while the Houston Rockets are expected to play against the San Antonio Spurs.

Mark your calendars, Laker fans.

The Mike Brown era and presumed "last stand" for this back-to-back NBA Championship unit begins Monday, December 19th. 

While all our offseason questions will not be answered during this two-game preseason, we'll at least get an idea of how Kobe's knee is feeling after his platelet procedure in Germany and how the rest of the team looks after working out on their own during the summer.

Expect rusty, sloppy basketball after this prolonged work stoppage which, for all intents and purposes, is better than no basketball at all.

We'll take it.