The instrumental observe behind one in all Los Angeles’ largest songs performed over the Intuit Dome’s best-that-money-can-buy sound system late within the opening half — the proper tune for what had been unfolding.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” wasn’t a Lakers diss observe, and he didn’t even need to rap the refrain for the purpose to be pushed residence.
All of the issues which have made the Clippers one of many surprises of the NBA season threaten to make the Lakers a disappointment, hurdles the crew has but to overcome and ones that, barring roster reconstruction, simply may by no means occur.
Defensive strain all around the court docket? Yeah, the Lakers aren’t like that.
Constant toughness and measurement? The Clippers have it.
Clear offensive identification and purchase in? Nicely, the Lakers aren’t like that both.
The scoreboard confirmed the plain for a lot of the Clippers’ 116-102 win Sunday evening within the first assembly between the groups this season.
Whereas the Lakers may need larger expectations due to their stars and since they’ve already been lively on the commerce market, the Clippers performed Sunday like a crew totally assured in itself, its identification and its plans for the long run.
Sunday, their greatest basketball got here when the sport was already in all probability determined. Late within the third, whereas a “Let’s go Lakers” chant broke out in a primarily pro-Clippers crowd, the Lakers made a push, reducing a 26-point lead all the way down to 11. However LeBron James, one of many instigators throughout that stretch, missed three point-blank appears to be like on the basket with the Lakers needing to be excellent to have an actual probability at a comeback.
They weren’t.
James led the Lakers (22-18) with 25 factors and 11 assists and Rui Hachimura scored 19, however no different Lakers participant made a large offensive affect, together with Anthony Davis, who scored 16 factors on five-for-14 capturing and Austin Reaves, who had 14, however may solely create six photographs. He left the sport hobbling after showing to injure his knee within the fourth.
The Lakers’ weaknesses are evident. They tried to maintain Ivica Zubac from dominating the paint, however the former Laker took benefit of the Lakers’ lack of measurement, ending with 21 factors and 19 rebounds. They want playmaking assist for Reaves and James, the 2 major ballhandlers every accounting for 5 of the Lakers’ 17 turnovers.
They usually want extra defensive toughness to assist restrict a crew just like the Clippers, who drive a lot offense from the perimeter, to more durable nights than 52.8% capturing.
The Clippers, folks across the league nearly unanimously count on, will probably be quiet on the commerce deadline (regardless of having various gamers coveted by NBA groups). Their large transfer is extra easy — reintegrating Kawhi Leonard as they attempt to hold him obtainable for the remainder of the season.
Leonard performed 24 minutes and 17 seconds — a season excessive — as he continues to work again from the knee points which have bothered him a lot of his time with the Clippers. He scored 19 factors on solely 13 photographs, allotting three of his 4 assists early within the first quarter to assist the Clippers set the tone.
Norman Powell completed with 22 factors and James Harden had 21 factors and 12 assists for the Clippers (24-17).
The schedule will in all probability reduce the luster from the Clippers, who’ve received their final three video games by a mean of 34 factors. They play 5 instances this week, their schedule moved round because of wildfire postponements.
The Lakers have two extra probabilities at residence earlier than starting their annual Grammy street journey, internet hosting Washington on Tuesday earlier than one other rivalry sport Thursday towards the Celtics.
