DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The Lakers begin their 2009 playoff run on Sunday, with a noon game against the Utah Jazz. A capacity crowd of approximately 19,000 will no doubt be watching from inside Staples Center, but ESPN Zone at L.A. Live is inviting those without tickets to consider watching the game from within shouting distance of the arena.

The sports-themed restaurant is also kicking off a pair of new specials Downtowners should take note of.

From 4pm to 6pm daily, the restaurant is offering unlimited game play in the "Sports Arena" game room for $5. The same time frame also brings "App'y Hour," where appetizers are half-off with the purchase of an alcoholic drink.

For Sunday's game one, the restaurant will open at 10am. The first twenty fans in the door will be given a $25 game card.

While it won't be done in time for Sunday, the experience of watching a game in the restaurant's "Screening Room" should be vastly improved within the upcoming weeks as the venue swaps out its massive center screen. The three-part panel has been a source of complaints since ESPN Zone's November opening, with two vertical lines disrupting game action. Plans are to replace the screen with a super-bright projector.

ESPN Zone at L.A. Live / Figueroa at Chick Hearn / 213-765-7070