LA Sports: Key Games to Watch During Your Beautiful Weekend
By Mary Coyne
Hello and happy Saturday, Angelenos. Aren’t you glad you live in a city with so many sports teams? Here is what you should look out for in LA Sports.
There’s always a live sporting event for you to watch in order to help you stay connected to Los Angeles. You don’t want to be caught not knowing the scoop on in the LA sports scene, do you?
Here is a quick look at our local teams who are in action this weekend.
Lakers @ Clippers – Saturday, 12:30 pm, SpecSN, Prime Listen live on 710 AM
One team is vying for the #4 seed in the Western Conference and the other is vying for the #1 pick in the draft.
With Thursday’s 124-118 win over the Phoenix Suns, the Clippers have pulled within one game of the Utah Jazz for the #4 spot in the West. They finish with four of their final five games at home – the lone road game is against the Spurs on April 8. They need to push those old demons aside and finish strong and steady heading into the playoffs. This is no time to let up against their crosstown rivals.
The Lakers, meantime, are a half-game behind the Suns in the last place in the West and have lost three straight games and 17 of the last 19. Ouch.
So, no matter if you’re a Clipper or a Laker fan, you should be happy after this one. A likely Clipper win will strengthen their playoff standings and a Laker loss they will improve their chances in the lottery. #winwin
The Lakers then take on the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples on Sunday at 12:30 pm on SpecSN. Listen live on 710 AM.
No, I don’t feel good about rooting for the purple and gold to lose – but I’m at that point.
LA Galaxy @ Vancouver – Saturday, 7:00 pm, SpecSN
The LA Galaxy are coming off their first win of the season and head to Vancouver to try and make it two on Saturday in a matchup against the Whitecaps.
The good news is they finally have close to a full roster. According to MLS.com, captain Jelle Van Damme is back after his suspension and Jermaine Jones is back from international duty. Ashley Cole, Giovanni dos Santos, and Brian Rowe are back from injuries and Gyasi Zardes is set to make his return to the team after being sidelined with a knee injury since last August.
The bad news is the team lost probably their best player, Sebastian Lletget after he suffered a Lisfranc injury in his left foot during last week’s U.S. National Team match. Lletget is expected to miss 4-6 months so coach Curt Onalfo has some decisions to make regarding who will replace the star midfielder. MLS.com reports Ema Boateng will most likely get the assignment.
The Galaxy holds a 9-3 advantage over the Whitecaps who are looking to get their first win of the season on Saturday.
Los Angeles Angels @ Los Angeles Dodgers – Saturday, 6:00 pm Fox Sports West, SportsNetLA. Listen Live on 570
The Dodgers and Angeles finish up their spring exhibition at Chavez Ravine on Saturday with a tiebreaking final game in the Freeway Series.
The Angels took the series opener, 3-1, on Thursday. Last night in Anaheim the Dodgers evened it up with a 3-1 win. Tonight the two teams go at it again. Dodger right-hander Brandon McCarthy, who earlier this week was given the fourth starter position, will be on the mound against Angel righty Jesse Chavez for the Angels.
LA Kings v. Arizona – Sunday, 7:30 pm Fox Sports West Listen Live on 710AM
It’s not over yet….
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Kings are not out of playoff contention but the odds are not looking good. Even with their 2-0 win over the Canucks on Friday night, the Kings path to the post-season is a difficult one. They will need to play their best hockey of the season in these remainder games and pray for some luck in order to make their way into the playoffs.
With five games left and 8 points behind the Nashville Predators, the Kings need to win all five and hope that Nashville loses all their remainder games if they want to see the post-season. The Kings hold the tiebreaker should the two teams finish even in points.
But with the Kings needing 8 of the 10 points available, any Kings losses and Predators wins that total two will knock the Kings out of playoff contention.
Nope, it’s not over yet – but the fat lady is on stage and ready to belt it out.
Anaheim Ducks @ Edmonton – Saturday, 7:00 pm Prime and Sunday, 6:30 pm @ Calgary, Prime
The Ducks have clinched a berth in the Stanley Cups playoffs for a franchise-record fifth consecutive season. Coming off a loss to Winnipeg on Thursday, which snapped a 5-game winning streak, the Ducks head to Western Canada for two exciting matchups against Oilers and the Flames.
The first-place Ducks are just one game ahead of Edmonton and the Flames are in a hot race with San Jose right behind. Every game counts as the standings are shuffling daily.
If you haven’t been paying attention to hockey, now is the time to check back in.
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There you have it. So much to watch – so little time. Have a great weekend LA sports fans!