Clippers and Lakers Both Come Up Short in Disappointing First Day of Playoffs

The NBA playoffs are finally here, and the first games have wrapped up. Some teams came out strong in the opener, some faltered, and some were just testing the waters.

For both franchises in Los Angeles, things didn’t quite go as planned.

(Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Clippers and Lakers both lost, and now sit a game down in their respective series

There were some things to like, but a lot left to be desired as well. Each team has a lot of expectations in the current NBA atmosphere. They’re going to have to play better if they want to meet them.

Stars, and Not Much Else

Perhaps one of the most anticipated matchups of the early postseason is the Lakers and Timberwolves.

LeBron James and Luka Doncic have not had a chance to play together in the playoffs, and seeing them both operate in primetime proved to be a thrilling prospect.

Unfortunately for both Los Angeles and Lakers fans, the game ended up being a real dud for the yellow and purple.

Not only did the Wolves play much better defense and team basketball, but they were ready for Los Angeles’ three pronged attack.

Minnesota went into the game as big underdogs, but they were prepared for what was coming. Rather than trying to match up with Los Angeles’ star power, they let the Lakers’ big names put up good stats and took away everyone else.

Everyone knows Los Angeles has some of the best talent in the league. James ended the game with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, Doncic added 37/8/1, and the ever-reliant third threat Austin Reaves put up 16/3/3.

Those lines are quite impressive no matter how you cut it, but nobody else stepped up

If the Lakers want to succeed they need a varied attack. The Wolves knew that, and they were more than happy to let the stars score as long as no one else could get in rhythm.

Reaves, James, and Doncic combined for 72 of the Lakers’ 95 points. That type of hero ball can win games, but it’s not something that’s consistent long term. That’s why they lost on Saturday.

A Much More Balanced Attack

The Timberwolves came into the game with a plan, executed that plan, and then won due to how well they spread the ball around.

Anthony Edwards ended with 22 points, Naz Reid ended with 23, Jaden McDaniels had 25, while Julius Randle scored 16.

That’s the type of team basketball both the Lakers and Timberwolves want to play. As Minnesota was the only one that was able to do it, they were able to grind the game out and come away with a tough 117-95 victory.

The Lakers did get up early in front of their home crowd, but the Wolves never faltered or got rattled

They were more than happy to steadily chip away, double off the ball, give up a basket here and there, all while letting their offense find good shots.

One game does not make a seven game series, but the win did outline the blueprint for how the Lakers need to play.

Their stars have to step up, but they also must get people involved and play their style rather than doing what the Timberwolves want.

A Two Heavyweight Battle

As with the Lakers, the Clippers ended up with a tough first round loss that’s going to sting moving forward.

Los Angeles is a strong team loaded with talent who, if their shots are falling, can beat just about anyone on any given night. Even so, the Nuggets are a tough out.

Nikola Jocic continues to be the best player in the world, putting up 29 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds in the first game matchup, while Aaron Gordon (25 points), Jamal Murray (21 points), and Russell Westbrook (15 points) can produce in a variety of ways.

The Clippers know that, and they countered with Kawhi Leonard (22 points), James Harden (32 points), and Ivica Zubac (21 points).

They also got solid production from their bench and pushed the Nuggets to the brink at home. Still, it was not enough.

One They Want Back

Denver came away with the game one victory, winning 112-110 in a tight overtime contest that went down to the wire. It’s a brutal loss for the Clippers, who are going to need everything they can to bounce back.

Harden and Leonard are the key pieces, but they are far from the only tools at Los Angeles’ disposal. Zubac had a great game one, and will need to continue to take over the middle if the Clippers want a chance at stopping Jokic.

The series seems tight on paper, and if game one is any indication it will likely be tight in real life

If that’s true, every possession counts. The Clippers are more than capable of bouncing back, but if they don’t want to go home early they have to tighten things up down the line. That starts with winning the close ones.