Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs live stream: Where to watch NBA online, TV schedule, preview, start time

The Los Angeles Lakers (19-40) will return home for the first time since the All-Star break when they host conference heavyweights, the San Antonio Spurs (44-13), at the Staples Center on Sunday. The Spurs have dominated the once-great rivalry, beating the Lakers seven consecutive times in recent history.

Sunday's game will be the third in the four-game regular season series; the Spurs registered comfortable victories on Nov. 18 (116-107) and Jan. 12 (134-94) when the Lakers were dependant on veterans Lou Williams and Nick Young to carry the offense. However, Williams was recently traded and Young is expected to see fewer minutes going forward since coach Walton plans to give the younger players additional playing time. During Friday's 110-93 loss to Oklahoma City Thunder, D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram, the Lakers' prized young players, clocked 36 and 39 minutes respectively.

Lakers vs Spurs: Pau Gasol returns from injury

Spurs centre Pau Gasol returned to action Friday for the first time since breaking his left hand. Gasol, returning after a 15-game layoff, registered 17 points and 11 rebounds off the bench as the Spurs beat the Clippers 105-97 at Staples Center. "It's one of those things (when you return from injury). You stretch the floor, the first (shot) goes down and then you have a better chance at making the second one.

"The second one goes down and you have a better chance to make the third one because you're in a good rhythm and you have confidence. It's kind of surprising that it happened that way in our first game back after I hadn't played for five weeks," the Spaniard was quoted as saying, via ESPN. Gasol, who won two championships with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010, is averaging 11.9 points and 8.0 per game in his first season with the Spurs.

The young Lakers squad has been put on notice since Magic Johnson's appointment as President of Basketball Operations. Johnson has been travelling with the team, besides overseeing practice sessions and games. Though the Lakers are not expected to make the playoffs, the new front office could have a busy offseason if some of the young players don't leave a lasting impression on Johnson, a former five-time NBA champion.

According to young point guard D'Angelo Russell, Johnson's appointment has given the players additional motivation to thrive. "It's like you're starting over and trying to impress. Everybody has to look over their shoulders once again. It's like coming to a new team. Trying to impress the GM and the guys in the front office with your play and off the court the way you handle yourselves. So it's all different," said Russell, who finished with 29 points and 6 assists against the Thunder on Friday.

Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs live stream: Where to watch NBA online

Start time: 3:30 p.m. (ET), 12:30 p.m. (PT), 6:30 AM on Monday (AEST), 7:30 AM (AEDT)
On TV: Spectrum Sports Net, Fox Sports Southwest (USA)
​Live Stream: NBA League Pass (Global)