One of the biggest storylines of the season is the epic and ongoing battle in Los Angeles.
As the two biggest and most dominant teams in the West, the Lakers and Clippers are expected to be among the two biggest competitors for the crown. With another regular-season battle coming up and a postseason exchange almost inevitable, people are wondering (now more than ever) which team currently has the upper hand.
To answer that question, it might be beneficial to look at the past. In three games this season (opening night, Christmas Day, and March 8th) the Clippers have won two by a combined 15 points. The Lakers won the March 8th game by nine.
More interesting are the individual performances in the series by each of the four stars. Star performance will be the biggest factor in ensuring playoff victory. So how have they fared against each other?
Kawhi is the leading scorer in these matchups, averaging 30 points and 6.6 rebounds on 53% shooting. With first-hand experience at beating LeBron James, he knows more than anyone how to give him the biggest challenge on both ends of the floor.
His partner, Paul George, has provided a spark on both ends of the floor as well but it is obvious he struggles more against the Lakers, averaging 24 points on just 42% shooting.
As for the other side, Anthony Davis has typically had his way against the Clippers. In the series, he’s averaging 26.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.
LeBron James has a case for MVP this season, but it’s fair to say he struggles against the Clippers. In three games against the team, he has averaged just 23 points on 38% shooting.
Their next game is on April 9th, less than a month before the start of the 2020 playoffs.
As both organizations work towards their goal, the world is bracing for their inevitable clash. In the end, we will see who steps up.
