The Battle of Los Angeles is likely one of the most-watched rivalries within the NBA. However since these groups are but to fulfill within the Playoffs, the common season clashes between the Lakers and Clippers function a deal with to followers within the Metropolis of Angels.
Their Wednesday night time matchup held many stakes for each side within the final week of the common season. Each groups held a 41-38 document, with the Clippers simply edging their rivals for the sixth seed within the Western Convention.
Whereas the Clippers have stored themselves afloat for a lot of the season earlier than a slight decline in the direction of the top, the Lakers’ season has been characterised by late surges. Accidents and roster points turned the wrongdoer for many followers writing the Purple and Gold off early on. However the Lakers got here to life late, successful 15 of their final 22, together with an time beyond regulation win in opposition to the Utah Jazz about 24 hours earlier than Wednesday’s recreation. Having each LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the ground and some efficient tweaks across the commerce deadline appeared to have finished the trick.
It appeared as if they have been about to showcase their comeback means later within the recreation. The Clippers lead comfortably with a 24-point cushion at halftime earlier than LeBron and firm got here as shut as eight factors to tying and stealing the sport within the third. Nonetheless, Norman Powell, who led the Clippers with 27 factors within the recreation, discovered the recent hand, and the opposing all-team effort had no solutions. The Clips led by 11 earlier than the fourth body and put the sport to mattress, 118-125, on the finish of 48 minutes for his or her eleventh consecutive win in opposition to the Lakers.
The Playoff image
With the win, the Clippers moved to the fifth seed, swapping locations with the Golden State Warriors. In the meantime, the Lakers stay seventh, simply on the verge of breaking into Playoff rivalry and avoiding the somewhat-sudden-death situation of the Play-in event.
The Western Convention has been a rollercoaster all season lengthy. However with just some days left, the Playoff image is beginning to form up with the top-4 groups having punched their postseason tickets. Each the Los Angeles groups and the Warriors have solely two video games left on their schedules. Outcomes will decide who performs in opposition to the extremely favored Phoenix Suns within the first spherical, who squares off in opposition to the Cinderella story protagonists within the Sacramento Kings, and who has to stroll the skinny wire of the Play-in. This showdown in Hollywood could not have been for all of the marbles, however it was for the higher probability to compete for them.
An act of revenge
One other narrative that revolved across the recreation is the one in all Russell Westbrook. After a stint with the Lakers that introduced every part however flowers to scent, the previous league MVP stayed in LA with the Clippers. Since switching sides, Westbrook has averaged 15.1 factors, 7.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per Statmuse. Whereas nothing near his stat machine numbers with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, being in Ty Lou’s system serves as chaos management for somebody with an enormous chip on his shoulder.
On what would have been a “show it” recreation for Westbrook in opposition to his former squad, he spent most of his minutes on the sideline. With Paul George out as a result of a knee sprain, Westbrook robotically will get the nod as Kawhi Leonard’s second-in-command. However figuring out his tendencies, Lou could have received them the sport by sitting Westbrook down to ensure he didn’t get carried away and lose the sport. Nonetheless, Westbrook didn’t simply supply excessive fives and handshakes. With 20 minutes of enjoying time, Westbrook tallied 14 factors, three rebounds, and 4 assists on a brief but productive shift.
The evergreen questions for these groups stay. Can Anthony Davis steer clear of accidents? Can the Clippers stars do the identical? What occurs to each squads in the event that they don’t win this yr? The Playoffs this yr are sure to be fireworks. The considered the Lakers and Clippers assembly within the postseason is actually unrealistic. But when we realized something from this previous season, don’t rely something or anyone out too quickly.
