Refs were terrible and definitely cost the Clips enough points and possessions to affect the game. There was no whistle at all in the Clips favor in Q3. The one possession that stands out was PG getting fouled at least 3 times by AD on a layup attempt with no call.

That said, Lakers provided a preview of playoff level defense (with playoff level reffing). You either make shots through contact and earn that respect or just move the ball better with more pace to get better shots. The Clips played into the Lakers’ tempo, and didn’t shift the pace the way they did vs N.O. You have to speed the game up, get spacing to get away from length and make shots in your 1 v 1 matchups.

To lose a game where Zu dominated AD burns more than a little.

For the 2nd time this year, Lebron was on the court with 4 other future hall of famers and was the best player. No one out hustles him and contributes as much in every phase of the game from every position on the floor. You can amass similar stats (though I think Lebron had as many or more points, Rebs, assists than any of our stars), but you’re not going to impact the game more than him b/c of how involved he is on every offensive possession.

Lakers seized the advantage in Q3 when Russ just had a miserably bad stint, shooting wild 3s, not getting Norm the ball, and just not being a good point guard. DeAngelo Russell scored 8 points off 3 Russ misses on long jumpers and to me that was basically the decisive shift in the game. We had to fight from behind from that point forward.

Harden and Kawhi were terrible. The 8 TOs, holding on to the ball too long, playing into the Lakers’ length, not exploiting the right match ups. I don’t know how many times they tried to challenge AD and Reddish when there was a better match up to exploit.

On the bright side, Zu looked great and Norm had a great Q4 (and I really thought that buzzer beater went in). I don’t think we exploited Norm enough, and the problem with that is he gets picked on where teams switch to get a big on him. Norm battled better than prior games and gave his team a chance, though.

T-Mann showed a good handle, passed the ball well, hit 2 3s but didn’t pull the trigger aggressively enough on 3 or 4 possessions where the team would’ve benefited from more aggression. I also think that in a game where Harden and Russ both did not play well and didn’t understand the mission, putting the ball in T-Mann’s hands to run the point, push the pace, read the floor and hit the open man could’ve unlocked the game for the team.

I do wonder if the Clips will try to add a veteran wing defender who can play about 10-15 mins a game (essentially Nic Batum). Could’ve used that guy on Lebron tonight.