The Lakers wake up too late against the Clippers

After a short three-game trip to the West, the Clippers returned to the Intuit Dome and Kawhi Leonard (24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) against the Lakers. For his return, the former Raptors winger started the game with a bang, scoring 8 of the first 12 points of the Clippers (12-10).

If, for a few minutes, the two teams trade shots, Tyronn Lue’s men can count on their long-range prowess to create an initial gap. As soon as he enters the game, Kobe Sanders makes two prize baskets and follows him James Harden (18 points, 10 assists). At the end of the first quarter, Clippers rookie shoots a third arrow, but Rui Hachimura answers him on the buzzer (36-29).

To widen the gap, the entire Clippers collective is getting involved, from John Collins to Ivica Zubac (18 points, 19 rebounds) via James Harden’s 2+1… Lakers can’t find a solution to stop the bleeding. Before returning to the locker room, Chris Dunn intercepts the ball and ends the counterattack himself. Deandre Ayton responds by beating Ivica Zubac, but the Lakers trail 64-47 at halftime.

When the second half begins, the Clippers are up twenty points thanks to James Harden’s new “i-1”. Behind his leader, Kawhi Leonard continues to dissect the Lakers defense. Jake LaRavia he bites into the winger’s feint, allowing him to find himself alone in the mid-range. In the process, the Clippers’ #2 makes a long shot against the same Jake LaRavia (72-49).

Awakening the Lakers

While underwater, the Lakers don’t give up. Luka Dončić (32 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists) sends Rui Hachimura on the alley-oop, which started an 11-2 run in favor of JJ Redick’s men. The “race” that the Slovenian concludes with another lofted pass for which he was intended Jackson Hayes (82-67). This third quarter ends with another loss of the ball for the Clippers. LeBron James (23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists) completes the counterattack and brings the Lakers to fourteen points before the start of the last act (86-72).

The Lakers started the fourth quarter with a 5/5 shot and returned to ten points (93-83). Even better, they get back to within two possessions thanks to an “i-1” from Marcus Smart then two points when Luka Doncic made a complicated 3-point shot against Chris Dunn.

To answer, James Harden also shoots from a distance and starts a 10-0 in favor of the Voaliers (103-91). However, the Lakers do not give up yet and use two turnovers from their neighbors to come back four lengths (103-99). Entering the final minute, the Clippers are still leading by five points, and Kawhi Leonard is opening up John Collins behind the arc to seal the fate of this game.

Not without trepidation, the Clippers won 112 to 104 and regained the taste of victory after mistake in chicago two days earlier.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– A meeting with two people. The Clippers quickly got hold of this matchup by showing themselves to be skilled from a distance, but also thanks to a big contribution from the bench to start the match as a duo of Kobe Sanders – Jordan Miller author 25 points. Conversely, the Lakers’ defensive woes were on display again as JJ Reddick’s men conceded 64 points in the first half. In the second period, the Clippers offense stalled. Tyronn Lue’s men continue to increase turnovers and lose a total of 18 balls in this game, which allows the Lakers to gradually erase their deficit.

– The Lakers went too far. While trailing by 26 points, the Lakers came back two lengths and two players were decisive in this comeback: Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt. The former continued his good defense and important shots in the fourth quarter, while the latter brought new life to the Lakers off the bench. His defensive presence disrupted the Clippers’ offense and was found late in the game by LeBron James to bring JJ Redick’s team within four points. The winger finished the game with a team-best +/- of +16, but it wasn’t enough to bring home the win.

– The harvest of Ivica Zubac. The ranking of the Lakers and the Clippers among the worst jumping teams this season. If JJ Redick’s men unfortunately lived up to their reputation, Tyronn Lue’s men shined in this part of the game. The Clippers finished with 49 shots against 34 for their neighbors, led by Ivica Zubac who grabbed 19 rebounds. The Croatian also added 18 points for his fourth consecutive double-double.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.