In a special context in more than one way, the Clippers took on their neighbors the Lakers in the first derby where the Pourpre-et-Or were really in the position of visitors after 25 years of cohabitation. The trip is short, but they could feel that they were clearly not at home at the Intuit Dome, where the Clippers signed their sixth consecutive victory (116-102).
From the start of the match, the Clippers set the tone with Norman Powell as the first detonator with his team’s first seven points. LeBron James responds from afar, but with the exception of the James – Anthony Davis duo, JJ Redick’s team struggles to set up its attack. Without forcing, and with Kawhi Leonard in the creative role, the locals took the lead (32-26 at the end of the first quarter).
Too lonely in the first act, LeBron James this time receives a little help from his second knives to feed the score while the best scorer in history distributes the ball. Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, Max Christie… Everyone is doing their part to keep the Lakers in the game. Still, scoring is one thing, defending well is another. Norman Powell and Kevin Porter Jr have fun on the outside lines. Then in the rotation game, the Clippers resume their domination near the circle when their opponents fall back into their offensive ways. From a 12-1 lead, the locals flew back to the locker room with a substantial lead of 15 points (64-49).
Up to 26 points ahead
The Clippers’ control is just as great at the start of the second period. The Lakers’ defense is absent, and each of Tyronn Lue’s players is well in their role: James Harden as distributor in chief, Ivica Zubac to control under the circle, and Kawhi Leonard as boss to drive the point home. The winger is irresistible for two minutes where he scores eight points with all his offensive range. Without a response, the Lakers let themselves be unseated minute after minute, and the derby turned into humiliation with a maximum gap of +26 (90-64). The visitors’ reaction was late and forced James to return to the game much earlier than expected. But it had the merit of leaving a little suspense, with an 11-0 at the end of the third quarter to limit the damage to -15 .
This suspense will not intensify any further. The Clippers are in control, like Ivica Zubac imperial and close to a new match in 20 points – 20 rebounds. Leonard on the bench, the Zubac – Harden – Powell trio provides the essentials despite more clumsiness. The good passage of Rui Hachimura (10 points in the 4e quarter) changes nothing, while the James – Davis tandem, between fatigue and recovery, accumulates a terrible 1/11 shooting over the period. The Lakers painfully reach 100 points and leave with their heads down.
-WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Collective and defense, key words of the Clippers. Four players finished between 19 and 22 points and with very good overall efficiency apart from Harden who was less successful. But the weight of the quartet was real, where the six Lakers players above ten units looked like a trompe l’oeil as the contributions of each were intermittent. What the Clippers didn’t do either was on defense, locking down the Lakers’ attack that was sometimes completely sclerotic.
– Anthony Davis dominated by Ivica Zubac. Returning from a match absence, “AD” suffered against his counterpart from the Clippers. Stronger and more intense, Zubac reigned supreme on the racket with 21 points, 19 rebounds and 3 blocks, while limiting Davis to a small 5/14.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
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