Lurching Lakers limp into playoffs with dire injury list

LOS ANGELES - In more ways than one, NBA champions the Los Angeles Lakers have limped into the playoffs with a worrying loss of momentum and question marks hanging over the fitness of several key players.

Wednesday's 107-91 defeat to city rivals the Los Angeles Clippers left the Western Conference top seeds with a regular season record of 57-25, and with six losses in the last 10 games.

If the late form lapse was not bad enough, coach Phil Jackson must prepare for Sunday's first round opener at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a mounting injury list.