The Lakers really can’t do it with their Clippers neighbors this season. LeBron James and his teammates missed their recovery by losing again to fall to five successes of the balanced record. Where their evening opponents, with this fourth victory in five matches, return to 50% victories.
After a close and contested first quarter (22-24), the Clippers took advantage of the long-distance address of Luke Kennard and a good passage in attack from Robert Covington to afford up to 16 points from lead (33-49), the biggest gap of the match, in the middle of the second quarter. Unable to return a 3-point basket (0/11 to start), the Lakers returned to the locker room 10 points behind (47-57).
Remobilized by the defensive activity of Austin Reaves, author of a huge counter on Reggie Jackson, the Lakers reacted well in the third act by being serious in defense to make the difference in transition where Carmelo Anthony and Talen Horton-Tucker were able to express themselves. The latter was also able to dunk on the counterattack just before the buzzer to give his team a six-point lead (78-72).
Overwhelmed by the newfound energy of the “locals”, the Clippers still managed to hang on to the score with Amir Coffey, yet countered… by the hoop when going to dunk, very inspired to finish the meeting. In a one-possession game, Carmelo Anthony breathed new life into the Lakers but Terance Mann brought his team back within two minutes of the end (100-99).
40 seconds from the end, Marcus Morris returned a big shot challenged by Russell Westbrook to restore the advantage to his team, without suspecting that it would be the last basket of the match, registered in the game. The continuation was marked by whistle disputes that the Lakers failed to capitalize on. Carmelo Anthony had the winning shot seconds from the end but shooting from too far, he finished short. LeBron James had a very last chance, with 0.7 seconds left, which was also missed.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The endless battle of “challenges” to finish the match. Endless, the word is weak. With 26 seconds left, Tyronn Lue first challenged the Lakers-friendly whistle as LeBron James tried to save a baseline ball. Challenge won, Clippers possession. But in the process, Reggie Jackson struggled to get up the leather. As he was about to be whistled for an eight-second violation, a foul was called at “THT”. Frank Vogel’s challenge… won in turn. Throw-in for the Clippers with less than a second to go up the half of the field and Reggie Jackson is finally logically sanctioned… for an eight-second violation! On arrival, this “battle” lasted 13 minutes!!!
– The Clippers, pet peeves of the Lakers. A defeat of four points in December, another one point in early February… The Lakers have lost three times, and narrowly, against their neighbors this season. The Clippers thus remain on a series of six straight wins against them. The Lakers have not beaten the Clippers since… July 30, 2020, in the Orlando “bubble” therefore. Last derby of the year on March 3rd.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Terance Mann. Fifth double-double of the year for the young Clippers who experienced little waste in this part. He had the ball in hand a lot next to Reggie Jackson. More than once, we’ve seen him pick up the defensive rebound, move up the field and fight his way to the circle where his athleticism made the difference.
✅ Dwight Howard. Third double-double of the year for the pivot, unaccustomed to being so mobilized in a match. He had already reached 10 points and 10 rebounds at the break. Much more discreet in the second half, he lacked skill in his ball shots under the circle despite good balls served.
✅ The Clippers bench. Robert Covington, Isaiah Hartenstein, Luke Kennard and Amir Coffey all finished with 10 or more points and were a big draw for the Clippers, especially in the fourth quarter.
✅ Carmelo Anthony and Talen Horton-Tucker. Like the last mentioned, the two men were important offensive boosts in the game of the Lakers, especially in transition. Too bad Melo couldn’t find better than to send a prayer seconds from the end.
⛔ LeBron James. End of series for the “King” who remained on an impressive streak of 23 games in a row to 25 points or more. Clumsy in shooting (6/18) and ball in hand (6 “turnovers”), he did not have his usual performance. The proof at the break, his assist counter was still stuck at zero. In the last quarter, he settled for two points on the throw line and was not happy with his choices in the “money time”.
THE FOLLOWING
Lakers (27-32) : reception of the Pelicans, Sunday.
Clippers (31-31) : trip to the Rockets, Sunday.
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