For the first time this season, the Los Angeles Lakers (3-4) will look to reach .500 when they face off against the San Antonio Spurs (6-1) at the Staples Center on Tuesday.

While the Spurs currently sit atop the Western Conference, the Lakers can slim their margin to a mere two games with a victory. Tim Duncan has been the ringleader behind San Antonio's success, averaging 18.9 ppg along with 2.4 blocks. Five other Spurs are also averaging in the double figures with seven players having at least 8.3 ppg.

Key acquisition Dwight Howard is coming off a strong performance against the Sacramento Kings. The star center put up 23 points along with 18 rebounds in the game. Howard is now averaging 20. 1 ppg, 10.6 boards and 2.4 blocks per game.

Despite the team's less-than-ideal record, Kobe Bryant is having one of the best scoring seasons of his career, shooting 53.8 percent from the field, 43.3 percent from a 3-point range and 91.7 percent from the line.

Los Angeles will again be without the services of the newly acquired Steve Nash because of a leg injury. Steve Blake (abdominal strain) will also be out. Chris Duhon and Darius Morris will most likely be called upon to fill the respective void against an above-average Spurs team.

While a fully healthy Lakers team would clearly pose a serious threat to the impressive Spurs, Tuesday night's lineup appears to be at a disadvantage for the team due to their lack of depth by having key players out of the game. Los Angeles also has yet to play a game under their newly named head coach Mike D'Antoni, who will make his debut on Sunday against the Houston Rockets.

CLICK HERE to watch the Los Angeles Lakers take on the San Antonio Spurs via free live stream. Coverage of the game is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Nov. 13

Tags
NBA