The Los Angeles Lakers once again emerged victorious in the battle of L.A., beating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-102 at Crypto.com Arena on Friday. The Lakers trailed by as many as 10 points early on but managed to turn things around and pick up their fifth straight win.
Luka Doncic was the Lakers’ leading scorer on the night with 31 points (9-22 FG), two rebounds, five assists, and three steals. His co-star LeBron James had another impressive showing, with 28 points (12-21 FG), 13 rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Doncic and James’ play ensured the Lakers got the win here despite Rui Hachimura being out with a knee strain and Austin Reaves exiting with a calf strain.
Lakers fans were thrilled with this win, considering the circumstances.
“I love this team. No AR, no Rui, and still found a way to pull it out. LFG man,” a Lakers fan has fallen in love with this team.
“The major difference this season with JJ is that we’re finding ways to win vs finding ways to lose it! Breath of fresh air,” one fan was full of praise for Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
“Why LeBron is not in MVP conversation,” one fan is wondering why James is not in the MVP conversation now.
“This team will win the title. Bookmark this,” one Lakers fan is convinced they’re winning the title.
“Can we say Plan the Parade yet,” one fan reckons parade planning might be in order.
“Who runs this city? Damn right Lakeshow all day,” one fan made it clear L.A. belongs to the Lakers.
There was a time when the Lakers could not beat the Clippers, but those days are long gone now. After losing 11 in a row, they have now won five of the last seven meetings between the teams.
Considering the circumstances, this might have been the most impressive win of the lot for the Lakers. It wasn’t pretty, but they got the job done. While the offense sputtered at times, they defended very well, limiting the Clippers to 44.8% shooting from the field and 24.3% from beyond the arc.
Great defensive performances are now starting to become a regularity with the Lakers, and that’s a good sign as we get closer to the playoffs. They put the clamps on James Harden here, as the star guard had 18 points (5-22 FG), seven rebounds, nine assists, and three steals on the night.
Former Laker Ivica Zubac was the Clippers’ most impressive player here, recording 27 points (13-15 FG), 16 rebounds, and one block. Kawhi Leonard, meanwhile, put up 21 points (8-17 FG), four rebounds, three assists, and two steals in what was another solid but unspectacular showing from him this season.
The Clippers dearly missed Norman Powell here, and he is yet to play after the All-Star break due to left patellar tendinopathy. They’d be hoping he’ll be back soon, just as the Lakers would be with regards to Hachimura and Reaves.
The Lakers improved to 37-21 with this win, while the Clippers dropped to 32-27. They’ll get a shot at revenge soon enough as the teams play again at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday at 9:30 PM ET.
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