Clippers Victory over Lakers Shows Two Teams Trending in Different Directions

The battle for Los Angeles ended up answering a lot of questions, few of which were good for the Lakers. Normally the top dog in the city, the purple and gold had an incredibly rough night where all of their issues were on full display.

They were out of sync from tip-off. They fell behind early, didn’t have the right size to match up, and were once again far too dependent on LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They also had shooting issues and never truly coalesced.

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

In contrast, the Clippers came out strong. They are a team melding in the right way at the right time, which is a strong recipe for success. The starters played the strong defense they’re known for while also doing a great job on the offensive side of the floor.

The blue and white are not a flashy team, nor are they going to blow out opponents. Even so, they are incredibly efficient. In the rivalry game against the Lakers, that was more than enough.

A Tale of Two Teams

On the surface, both Los Angeles teams seem quite similar. The purple and gold have a 22-18 record when compared to the Clippers’ 24-17. The teams are also the fifth and sixth seeds, respectively. The Clippers have won six of their last ten. The Lakers have won five.

Despite those statistics, both teams appear to be going in opposite directions. The Lakers are struggling to win games, and have no real sense of identity. The Clippers have now won four in a row, play great team ball, and have been bolstered by the addition of superstar guard Kawhi Leonard.

Both teams are hovering around the same area, but the Lakers are clearly on the downswing and badly in need of some inside help while the Clippers have plenty of hope. They have found a winning formula, which will only get better as Leonard becomes more familiar with the team.

The superstar has had a strong comeback so far. He played 24 minutes against the Lakers, which is the most he’s logged in a game this season, and he did so while putting up 19 points, four assists, and one rebound.

That statline isn’t the most impressive, but it’s yet another indicator that he’s on his way back to his old self. He also played strong defense, matching up well against the rival and doing everything he could to slow down their offensive attack.

A Decisive Win

Seeing the recent play of both teams, the game went as many would expect. The Clippers hit most of their early baskets while forcing the Lakers away from the rim and making them take tough shots.

The Clippers went up by six in the first quarter, and then thirteen at the half. From there, they coasted for the rest of the game. While the Lakers put up a bit of a fight in the second half, it wasn’t anywhere near enough to catch up.

James had his usual numbers, dropping in 25 points along with 11 assists, while Rui Hachimura scored 19. Anthony Davis added 16 points and ten rebounds. Even so, those three were largely on their own during the game.

That issue of top-heavy play continues to plague the Lakers. There isn’t enough support on the roster, and the team needs unreal play from its stars if it wants to win games. That’s simply not sustainable, even for the generational talent of James and Davis.

Knowing those two were the priority, the Clippers let them have their points and then dared anyone else to beat them. They couldn’t, and it led to a pretty lopsided victory.

Planning the Next Move

The game is important because it reinforced several narratives. The Lakers still need more size down low, as Davis and James can’t guard the rim alone. There are many quick teams in the NBA, and they know how to stretch the Lakers to get easy buckets.

On top of that, they don’t have much of a bench. They do have some strong role players, including the ever-reliable Austin Reaves, but there’s just no consistency at the bottom of the roster.

The Clippers are on the other side of the spectrum. They know how to win games, and they’re getting better and better as a unit. Norman Powell has solidified himself as a star, continuing to put up big nights against tough teams.

Adding him to the already amazing duo of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard means the Clippers are set as the league approaches the trade deadline. They don’t need to add anyone, which is a great place to be.

If the Lakers also want to be in that situation, they’re going to need to make some moves. They also have talent and stars, but it’s not working out in the same way. It’s hard to see them succeeding in the postseason with their current roster.