After a very long “road trip” of eight matches mainly in the East, ending with four victories, the Clippers finally returned to their Crypto.com Arena to play the Los Angeles derby. The second of their four meetings with the Lakers. And like the first earlier in the season, this confrontation was contested until the end.
After a tight first offensive period (60-54), marked by the injury exit of Carmelo Anthony (thigh), the Clippers took the lead in the third period. They were able to rely on the fine exterior address of the Reggie Jackson – Marcus Morris tandem, while Serge Ibaka waged an intense interior battle against Anthony Davis.
On two new award-winning baskets from Reggie Jackson and then Marcus Morris, as well as a strong finish in the circle of Nicolas Batum, the Clippers offered themselves a 17-point lead (84-67), their largest lead in this game. . The Lakers struggling to score, like a Russell Westbrook recalled to his bench, Anthony Davis and Malik Monk did what was necessary to end the period on a better note (94-82).
In addition to the unexpected dunk from Austin Reaves in transition, the start of the fourth quarter was marked by the awakening of Russell Westbrook, finally in the right rhythm near the circle. Thanks to a 12-0, the Lakers are completely back in the game (94-90). The same Westbrook allowed his team to come back in front one minute from the end (104-105).
An exhilarating end to the match where each team responded to the other. And it was finally Reggie Jackson near the circle who had the last word four seconds from the end, while AD saw his “floater” at the buzzer make a mess.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– An explosive “money time”. A lot happened in the last minute of the game. Between Reggie Jackson who first responded to Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk who gave his team a two-point lead (106-108), behind the arc 28 seconds from the end, which Marcus Morris answered ten seconds later at the same distance (109-108). Then Russell Westbrook who sent “AD” to the “alley-oop” (109-110) before Reggie Jackson had the opportunity to follow up near the circle after a “spin-move” (111-110). A shoot to which Anthony Davis will ultimately have no answer.
– “Big Three” vs. “Big Three”. While this derby was amputated by three superstars (LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George), the distribution of points was mainly concentrated on three players on each side. Not too many surprises on the Lakers side with an Anthony Davis – Russell Westbrook duo supported by Malik Monk. The Reggie Jackson – Marcus Morris – Serge Ibaka trio was less expected opposite.
– Clumsiness at throws. The Clippers obtained only 11 free throws to convert only 6. Their opponents were much more rewarded but also showed their difficulties in converting from this line (17/25). However, it is less surprising for the Lakers, the second worst team in the league this season in terms of free throw skill (73%), where the Clippers are much more consistent (79%). The day before, Anthony Davis had warned that missed free throws would cost matches. The proof…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Reggie Jackson. Obviously hero of the evening since he scored the winning shot by showing that he was not afraid since he attacked the circle in the wake of the Lakers’ alley-oop, without time-out available from Tyronn Lue. Beyond his points, the point guard got involved in other areas of the game.
✅ Marcus Morris. Very nice evening of address for the interior which multiplied the good choices in attack and seemed in control throughout the evening. His remarkable 6/7 from 3-pointers is his best performance in this area this season.
✅ Serge Ibaka. Despite the absence of Ivica Zubac, the interior sector of the Clippers was particularly inspired. At the heart of a laborious personal season, Serge Ibaka signed his best outing of the year by giving everything he had against Anthony Davis.
✅ Anthony Davis. Huge double-double for the Lakers inside who has finished with 30 or more points, with at least 10 rebounds, in three of his last four outings. Unfortunately for him and his team, this only resulted in one victory.
✅ ⛔ Russell Westbrook. Usual double face for the Lakers leader who signed three rather awful first quarters (2/9 on shots) before being much more inspired in the last. His six straight points at the start of the fourth were important to bring the Lakers back, as was his only award-winning basket two minutes from the end or his lobbed pass to “AD” at the very end.
THE FOLLOWING
Clippers (27-27) : reception of the Bucks, Sunday.
Lakers (25-28) : reception of the Knicks, Saturday.
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