Photo Credit: Jae C. HongAP

This week on ESPN Australia it’s do or die time for the Los Angeles Lakers as they face both the Western Conference Finalists in 3 jam packed days.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Time & Date: Thursday January 10 from the AT&T Centre

Coverage: LIVE 12:00 pm AEDT (See TV Guide for other games and times)

The tough as nails San Antonio Spurs pose a large threat to the Lakers as recent history is against Los Angeles. Their last meeting in November ended with Danny Green leaving Kobe Bryant in the paint for the 3 to win the game in the final seconds.

Last season the Spurs posted 2 20+ point wins against the Lakers and the speed of the San Antonio offense was the key to victory. New personnel with the Lakers gives this match up a new perspective, but their inability to win this season makes this a crucial game.

Watch For:  Tony Parker and Tim Duncan

While the bench in San Antonio is one of the best around it all starts with Duncan and Parker. That pick and roll is what opens up the game for the Spurs role players and it must be defended well by Los Angeles if they are to limit the highest scoring team in the NBA.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Time & Date: Saturday January 12 from the Staples Centre

Coverage: LIVE 2:30 pm AEDT (See TV Guide for other games and times)

The Lakers leave their match up in San Antonio to go back home where a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder awaits. With no doubt the Thunder are the higher rivals than the Spurs at this point in time, they will not want to disappoint themselves or the fans when taking on Kevin Durant and co.

There’s still a lot left to be desired in the Lakers and these games will give them an idea as to where they currently sit in the NBA. Someone has got to produce in the 4th quarter alongside Kobe Bryant. 8 losses at home is way to many for this Laker team at the once fortress of the Staples Center.

Watch For: Russell Westbrook

The Lakers are one of the worst teams preventing dribble penetration in the NBA. Once that point guard (Russell Westbrook) gets into the teeth of the defense it will be pick your poison for the Lakers. Expect Westbrook to come up big time.

These are the games you can catch on ESPN Australia via Foxtel throughout the week.

Is another San Antonio master class waiting to happen and will the Thunder get their way? Or will it be the Lakers, changing the tides of their season coming out of these two games with 2 wins and their heads up?