The Los Angeles Lakers were expected to make a playoff push when LeBron James returned from injury a month ago, but they're still heading in the wrong direction. The Lakers are 4-7 since James returned from a 17-game absence because of a groin injury, and they've lost four of five heading into a pivotal matchup Monday night against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers are 4 1/2 games behind the eighth-place San Antonio Spurs and five games back of the Clippers in the Western Conference.