The Clippers get thumped by LeBron James and the Lakers 122-97
Los Angeles Clippers #24 Norman Powell (G) three-point shot in front of the Los Angeles Lakers bench.
Photo by Omer Khan/TGSportstv1.
INGLEWOOD, CA - Usually, when a team has more people in double figures, your superstars shoot poorly, and most teams lose, and that happened as the Los Angeles Lakers (22-19) second trip to the Intuit Dome paid off after beating the Los Angeles Clippers(28-22) at the Intuit Dome 122-97.
James Harden shot poorly, 2-12, 11 points, and Kawhi Leonard, 4-11, with 11 points, and Ivica Zubac scored 8 points. The bright side on offense was Norman Powell, who scored 20 points, Derrick Jone Jr., who scored 17 points, and Bones Hyland, who scored 12 points.
The Lakers had five players in double-figure, starting with LeBron James with 26 points, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura both players with 20 points, Dalton Knecht with 14 points, and Gabe Vincent with 12 points.
Los Angeles Lakers #23 LeBron James (SF) driving to the basket for a layup. Photo by Omer Khan/TGSportstv1.
The Clippers, in their last three games, have not played well, and their head coach, Tyronn Lue, is not happy about it at all.
"The last three games have really pissed me off," Lue said.
"We're all in agreement on what we need to do, and they understand what we need to do," Lue added. "We've been doing it all year long, and so if we don't play hard, we don't have a chance. Our margin for error is slim."
James pulled up for a jump shot to give the Lakers a 7-6 lead. The Clippers trailed 25-23 with a jump shot by Powell.
The Clippers offense was way off, and their defense was a step slow as the Lakers went on a 20-6 run and led the Clippers 45-29 at the end of the first quarter.
Los Angeles Clippers #2 Kawhi Leonard (F) pulling up for a three-pointer near his bench. Photo by Omer Khan/TGSportstv1.
The Clippers trail by sixteen points in the second quarter, 47-31, after a jump shot by Leonard. The Lakers led 70-53 at halftime.
Austin Reaves would drive to the basket for a layup to give the Lakers an 84-66 lead in the third quarter. Shake Milton would drive to the basket with a floating jump shot to give the Lakers a 98-75 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Lakers would cruise in the fourth quarter the rest of the way to get the victory and have to give credit to their defense, and without Anthony Davis traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic, held the Clippers to 38.2% shooting in the game while shooting 55.6% from the floor.
"It was really just a complete game for us on both sides," Redick said. "Challenged the guys to have the same spirit in the second half knowing they'd make a run. Made their run, and we responded. And just fantastic basketball on both ends of the floor for us tonight."
The Clippers will try to rebound after being spanked by the Lakers as they take on the Utah Jazz at the Intuit Dome on Thursday at 7:30 pm.