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Bryant expected to play for Lakers

Dec 16, 2007 - 2:06 PM LA Clippers (9-13) at LA Lakers (13-9) 9:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The battle of Los Angeles just wouldn't be the same without Kobe Bryant.

Luckily, Bryant plans to play through a quadriceps injury when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. The superstar suffered the injury late in Friday's 108-106 loss to the Golden State Warriors and was forced to sit out some crucial possessions in the final minutes. Bryant shot just 6-of-23 in the contest and finished with 21 points, six shy of his average.

Prior to Friday, the Lakers had won four straight games, and they have topped 100 points in each of their past five contests.

The Clippers are no strangers to injury themselves, having played without the services of All-Star Elton Brand - ruptured Achilles' tendon - and point guard Shaun Livingston, who blew out a knee last season. In addition, veteran guard Sam Cassell has missed the past nine games due to a calf injury.

Center Chris Kaman has taken the Clippers on his broad shoulders, averaging 18.6 points and 13.8 rebounds. He poured in 23 points and grabbed 16 boards in Friday's 98-91 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Pacific Division rivals have yet to play each other this season. They split four meeting in the 2006-07 campaign.