After an unsuccessful four-game Grammy road trip, the Los Angeles Lakers are back home to host the reeling Denver Nuggets on the first game of a back-to-back.

The Lakers woes continued during their road trip, as they lost all four games, with two coming against inferior opponents. The last game was against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 120-105 loss. Jordan Clarkson notched a new career-high 20 points, but the Lakers were unable to defend the trio of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love, as the three combined for 82 points.

Thankfully, the Lakers are going up against another struggling opponent in the Denver Nuggets, who, just like the Lakers, have lost the last 13 out of 14 games.

For the Nuggets, this is the second night of a back to back. In their game on Monday night, they were thrashed by the Oklahoma City Thunder, 124-114, allowing reigning MVP Kevin Durant to go off for 40 points, including 24 in the first half.

Much of Denver’s struggles have been on the defensive end, as they have allowed 105.6 points per game over the last 14 contests. Throughout the season, they allow 104.3 points a game, which is 27th in the league.

However, the Lakers have been worse, allowing 106.3 points per contest, which is 29th in the league. In addition, the Lakers are 28th in opponent field goal percentage.

The one and only bright spot for the Lakers this season has been their bench play, which ranks sixth in the NBA in scoring at 39.7 points per game. Though, the Lakers bench has been sparkling over the last five games, averaging an incredible 51.6 points, which has accounted for 50.6 percent of the team’s points.

This will be the third meeting between these two teams, with each team splitting the first two games.

During the first showdown, the Nuggets pushed the Lakers to overtime and sealed the victory with a huge, timely three-point bucket by Danilo Gallinari at the STAPLES Center. In the second face-off, the Lakers got their revenge at the Pepsi Center, behind Kobe Bryant’s triple-double of 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.

Unfortunately, the Lakers do not have the luxury of depending on Bryant to carry them to victory. They have a completely different lineup since the last time they met, which is the last time the Lakers won on the road.

The Lakers have been going with a starting lineup consisting of two rookies and three other guys that combine for eight years of experience. Byron Scott has been giving his young guys a chance to develop, as it seems like this season is becoming a total wash. One player who has really sprouted is the aforementioned Jordan Clarkson.

“I’m still continuing to get comfortable,” Clarkson told reporters. “It’s coming along well, and I’m thankful for the opportunity they’re giving me to learn.”

The 22-year-old has been averaging 13.8 points in 31.5 minutes since being inserted into the starting unit.

The Lakers, who are 7-17 at STAPLES, won their last home game which was against the Chicago Bulls in double overtime, but they have dropped three consecutive games at home to the Denver Nuggets, who are only 7-19 on the road. Additionally, the Nuggets have defeated the Lakers seven out of the last eight meetings.

The game tips off at 10:30 pm Eastern Standard Time.