KTUL.com - Tulsa's Channel 8 - News, Weather & SportsThunder Face Important Game At Staples Center

With the continuing struggles by the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City's game Sunday at the Staples Center continues to grow in importance.

The Thunder (53-26) can move within a game of the number two seed with a win over the Lakers, who have dropped four straight after having gone 18-and-1 since the All-Star break.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma City has won three straight, has clinched the Northwest Division and now sits just two games behind the Lakers and one game behind third place Dallas in the standings.

After Sunday's game, the Thunder finish the regular season against non-playoff teams at Sacramento and at home against Milwaukee. The Lakers face a tougher test, hosting San Antonio Tuesday before ending the regular season at Sacramento on Wednesday.

Finishing second in the Western Conference would move the Thunder into a likely playoff matchup with New Orleans instead of their current situation, which would have them facing the Denver Nuggets, who have been on a tear as of late.

It would also give Oklahoma City a second round home court advantage should they win their opening series.

The playoffs begin a week from tonight, but Sunday's game against the Lakers will have a playoff feel as well. The game is scheduled for an 8:30 p.m. tip-off (Oklahoma City time) and can be seen on either Fox Sports Oklahoma HD or nationally on NBATV.