Starting a six-game home stretch, the Los Angeles Lakers (1-4) will host the Golden State Warriors (3-2) in a Pacific Division showdown. The Warriors are currently two games in front of the Lakers in the respective division's standings.

Golden State suffered a severe blow to their team after losing swingman Brandon Rush (torn ACL). To top it off, center Andrew Bogut will also be off the court to strengthen his ankle that he broke last season. Rookie Festus Ezeli will get the start in his place. Although the Warriors haven't been a playoff caliber team for well decades, they do sport a strong presence if they do get healthy.

Despite the Lakers' woes, Kobe Bryant currently sits second in the league in scoring with 27.2 ppg. He will go head-to-head with bright shooting guard Klay Thompson, who is the son of ex-Lakers center and current radio broadcast personality Mychal Thompson.

The Lakers will still be without the services of veteran Steve Nash, who is suffering from a non-displaced leg fracture.

In other team news, Los Angeles made the decision on Friday to part ways with head coach Mike Brown after the team's disappointing start. Assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff will take the reigns as interim coach for the matchup against the Warriors.

"I have great respect for the Buss family and the Lakers' storied tradition and I thank them for the opportunity they afforded me. I have a deep appreciation for the coaches and the players that I worked with this past year and I wish the organization nothing but success as they move forward," Brown stated, according to ESPN.

CLICK HERE to watch the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors via free live stream. Coverage of the game is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. PT on Friday, Nov.9.

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