Darvin Ham cited fatigue as one of the major factors behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ 125-118 loss to the LA Clippers on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media after the marquee game, the head coach, while upset with the defeat, also outlined the reasons. Calling the situation “real-life circumstances,” Ham further added that fatigue from the trip meant it would be tough for the side. “Guys competed their butts off.”
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Compared to the Lakers, a scheduling quirk for the Clippers gave them a good four days of rest. The former didn’t get much of a breather with Wednesday culminating as the final game of the five-contest stretch. In this case, Ham attributing the loss to fatigue is understandable.
It’s not a unique storyline, but for a team that’s gunning for a playoff spot, every aspect of the game matters, and the Lakers, forced to spend an extra night in Minnesota due to a snowstorm and more of it in Utah, bore the full brunt of the bad weather.
In the end, LeBron James (33 points), Anthony Davis (17 points), and Austin Reaves (20 points) did their best, but couldn’t get to striking distance as the Clippers crossed the finish line with a good margin.
Can The Los Angeles Lakers Still Finish Sixth Seed?
The loss to the Clippers puts the Los Angeles Lakers in seventh place and in a play-in position. With two games remaining, they will have to beat the Phoenix Suns and the Utah Jazz at home to finish 43-39.
Assuming they do win the final two games, they should also hope that the Clippers and the Golden State Warriors lose one or both of their games. Both teams are 42-38 and since the Lakers have the season tie-breaker against the Warriors, a 42-win season finish will put them over Stephen Curry and Co., giving them the higher seed.
All said it’s a dicey run. And LA will hope to finish off their final two skirmishes on the winning side. The crunch defeat to the Clippers aside, they have played some good basketball after the trade deadline, and do deserve a playoff spot. Only time will tell if they have the legs for it.
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