Lakers lose 11th game in a row to LA Clippers: Playoffs are almost closed
In a match where the outcome of winning or losing will directly affect both teams' ability to enter the Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers have both accepted great risks to compete.
With the Lakers, teachers and coaches Darvin Ham played the third match within 4 days and were forced to bet when both LeBron James and Anthony Davis played back-to-back. The team also allowed Mo Bamba and D'Angelo Russell to play, even though they were not in the best shape.
On the LA Clippers side, Kawhi Leonard was used more than usual by coach Tyronn Lue. Particularly in the 3rd and 4th rounds, the "bear hand" did not rest for a second to maintain competitiveness for the Clippers.
After 4 rounds of intense competition, the team that had a better start and warmed up earlier won. It was the LA Clippers with the final score 125-118.
The difference in physical and mental health was evident at the beginning of the game when the Clippers played energetically, while the Los Angeles Lakers showed fatigue. LA's blue-and-white half opened the game with a 15-3 run and since then, they've always been in the lead.
There were two periods when the Lakers flourished in the first half of the third half and the second half of the fourth, but these two efforts only helped LeBron James and his teammates narrow the gap from 20 to about 8-10 points.
Speaking of LeBron, today "the king" entered the game very slowly with only 1-6 FG in the first two rounds, which is understandable when James and Anthony Davis (completely hungry in the second half) could not be able to. best condition.
Kawhi Leonard is the LA Clippers' brightest star with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists (9-17 FG, 4-7 3PT). Norman Powell is no less competitive with 27 points (10-10 FT), 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.
Ivica Zubac completed her 26th double-double of the season, scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds and was slightly ahead of Davis. "Old man" Russell Westbrook scored 14 points, had 4 assists and 3 rebounds.
The result of this match helped the LA Clippers almost secure the ticket to the Playoffs with a record of 42-38, climbing to 5th place on the table. They only need to not lose in one of the last two matches of the Regular Season to close the top-6 position in the West.
As for the Los Angeles Lakers (41-39), the yellow-violet team still holds the 7th place, with the same winning and losing record as the New Orleans Pelicans but better in head-to-head stats.
The right to self-determination for the Playoffs ticket is no longer with the Lakers collective. They were forced to win the last 2 matches of the Regular Season (against Suns and Jazz) and then wait for the Warriors or Clippers to stumble before they can reach the top-6.
LeBron James led the team, scoring 33 points with eight rebounds and seven assists but six turnovers. 30 of James' 33 points came in the second half, the relatively late shine of the "king".
Austin Reaves is the next outstanding name with 20 points, 2 assists. Anthony Davis scored 17 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and added 2 blocks. In the reserve group, the Lakers did not have anyone score more than 7 points.
