Putting the game away early with seven players finishing in double-figures, the L.A. Clippers (45-22) completed their season sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, 118-94. Similar to the Clippers’ previous 104-86 win over their short-handed hallway foes back in April, there wasn’t too much to analyze in this one. Paul George led the way for LAC with a team-high 24 points (8-12 FG, 3-5 3PT), seven rebounds and five assists. Kawhi Leonard continued to ease his way back up to speed, adding in 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Lakers (37-30) were paced by Kyle Kuzma, who finished with a game-high 25 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Read on for our full Clippers vs. Lakers game recap.
Summary
The No. 1 perimeter shooting offense in the NBA showed its teeth in the first quarter as the Clippers scored 10 of 19 looks from the field (52.6%), shot 6-for-11 from deep (54.5%) and converted on 3 of 4 trips from the charity stripe (75%). The Clippers’ drive-and-kick playmaking was on full display, especially from Kawhi and PG, as the shot-making and overall ball-movement from LAC’s supporting cast was textbook of a Tyronn Lue-led team. Although the Clippers ultimately picked up three offensive fouls en route to 22 sloppy turnovers the rest of the way, the story of the game was the early return of Anthony Davis to the Lakers’ locker room. Early in the game, Davis appeared to tweak his ankle on the sideline scorer’s table after taking a three. While he did remain on the floor after retightening his shoe, Davis did not look like himself, shooting just 2 of 9 from the field almost exclusively on jumpers outside of the paint before coming out of the game. After leading by as much as 13, the Clippers led 29-20 through one.
In the second frame, Rajon Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins were terrific in their stints to set the tone for the Clippers off the bench. Boogie was unfazed matching up with Montrezl Harrell, using his size and strength to finish with ease down low. Cousins was also a clear beneficiary of the passing of Rondo once again, who connected with three different Clippers from three. PG-13 shot perfect in the period, dropping 12 points with three deep balls. With the Lakers sorely missing their two stars and any sort of primary ball-handler, the Clippers exploded out to a 23-point lead at the break—the largest first-half lead in the NBA this season.
By a margin of 29-27, the Lakers edged out the Clippers in the third as the intensity level of the game plummeted with Davis officially ruled out by the Lakers with back spasms. Led by Kuzma, LAL started out 4-for-6 from the field as the Clippers took their foot off the gas pedal a touch. Perhaps the only real takeaway in the period here was Zubac dominating Drummond on both ends for a stretch, playing stifling interior defense while continuing to consistently finish above the rim. After the Lakers held the Denver Nuggets to 89 points on Monday night, the Clippers surpassed that mark with a 92-71 advantage heading into the fourth.
With missed pair of Harrell free throws, an Alfonzo McKinnie offensive rebound and a 24-second shot clock violation, the opening sequence of the fourth quarter pretty much summed up what went on the rest of the way. Leonard and George did check back in, but the Clippers probably would’ve remained in the driver’s seat either way up 20-plus. Soon enough, Terance Mann finally checked in along with Yogi Ferrell and Daniel Oturu as the Clippers reclaimed possession of the west’s No. 3 seed.
Clippers vs. Lakers Game Notes
- T-Lue Rotation Tinkering: The Clippers played more of a traditional substitution pattern tonight, rolling with both Leonard and George on the bench for extended minutes as Lue continued to experiment with different lineups. Lue mentioned after the game that once Leonard is healthy enough to play longer stretches, however, he will go back to staggering the 213 star duo more once again. The return of Leonard seems to have mainly impacted the minutes of Terance Mann, whose playing time has continued to decrease significantly over the past three contests. Postgame, Lue said that he spoke with Mann on Wednesday about how the team will be going more with Luke Kennard due to spacing.
- The PG1 Slot: Reggie Jackson started at point guard once again as Patrick Beverley increased his playing load up to just about 18 minutes. With Lue reiterating that Rondo will continue to come off of the bench, it remains to be seen how the starting job will shake out, especially with both Jackson and Beverley looking pretty comfortable tonight.
- Up Next: The Clippers will host their final home game of the regular season in a matinee against the New York Knicks at the Staples Center on Sunday, May 9 at 12:30 p.m. PT.
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