LeBron James (36 points) is also alone for the Lakers against the Clippers

The Clippers hosted the Lakers in the second episode of the derby in Los Angeles, but primarily to try to find color. Prior to this encounter, Tyrone Lue’s men had won just one of their last eleven matches…

James Harden (21 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists) opened the scoring and put the Clippers on the right track. The Inglewood players start the game on a 9-0 run, while the Lakers have a more complicated start to the night as JJ Redick’s men miss their first seven shots. You have to wait four minutes and the winning shot from LeBron James (36 points on 15/28 shooting) to see how the Lakers score the first points of the match, but James Harden immediately responds with a shot from a long distance (12-3).

If LeBron James started the machine, the Lakers can’t come back and Nicholas Batum (3 points, 4 rebounds in 20 minutes) pushes them a little further. As soon as he entered the game, the Frenchman nailed a shot from distance, forcing JJ Reddick to take a timeout. Interruption of the game that does not change the dynamics of the start of the game. Immediately after, Dalton Knecht fires from a distance resulting in an “air ball”.

The Clippers take off

On the other side of the field, Ivica Zubac scores 2+1, but the pivot night will be interrupted. In an attempt to “float”, Croatia’s foot lands on LeBron James and his ankle turns. He goes back to the locker room and won’t be back for the rest of the match.

However, the Clippers lead 28:15 after twelve minutes of play. For the beginning of the second quarter, Brooke Lopez comes up with two award-winning shots while the Lakers still can’t set their sights. If the visitors continue to miss shots, Kawhi Leonard (32 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals) made three long shots in the second act and had 15 points when he reached the locker room. After him, the Clippers lead 54 to 39 at the break.

The second half starts without Luka Dončić. The Slovenian was kicked in the leg in the first half and was forced to give up his place. So, with the stripped outer line since Austin Reaves also absent, LeBron James tries to get the Lakers back in the game, but it’s not enough. In the middle of this third act, Kawhi Leonard and John Collins they make two 3-point shots and the Clippers take a twenty-point advantage, which is the biggest deficit in the match (71-51).

A futile burst of Lakers pride

If the Lakers trail by 19 points before the start of the final act, they do not concede defeat. Marcus Smart suffers an obvious error from Kobe Sanders on the 3-point shot and made all three of his free throws. Immediately after, LeBron James converts 2+1 and the Lakers come back seven lengths (80-73).

However, the Clippers still did not break down and responded first with the winning shot by John Collins, while James Harden and Kawhi Leonard added two points each to give breathing space to the residents of the Intuit Dome (88-73). With two minutes left, LeBron James hits another 3-pointer that puts the Lakers back within nine, but the Clippers aren’t bending over backwards. Kawhi Leonard’s teammates ended up winning 103-88 to snap a five-game losing streak.

WHAT TO REMEMBER:

– Unsuccessful start of the Lakers match. The Lakers played this game without Deandre Ayton in Austin Reaves. Absences that burdened the offense because, aside from LeBron James, no one seemed to be in rhythm at the start of the game. The proof of that is that, apart from the winger, behind him, only Luka Dončić managed to strike in this first act. It wasn’t much better on the other side of the field and the guests were already 13 points behind after twelve minutes of play. From then on they chased the score until the end of the match and despite a burst of pride in the last act they never troubled their evening opponent.

– The Clippers did not break in the third quarter. Little event for the Clippers as Tyronn Lue’s men didn’t let their lead slip away after the break like they’re used to. Even better, they took advantage of a number of Lakers mistakes to extend the deficit and take a twenty-point lead. That’s how Nicolas Batum’s teammates managed to achieve a solid success, giving up only 88 points, which is their lowest total this season.

– Care for Ivica Zubac. Even when they win, the night can’t be perfect for the Clippers. The Californians lost Ivica Zubac due to an ankle injury in the first quarter. To replace him, Tyronn Lue revived Brook Lopez, and the former Bucks player scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Also note that Luka Doncic missed the entire second half with a leg problem.

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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; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.