The LA Clippers claimed a huge victory on Wednesday night, beating their cross-city rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. The game was crucial for both teams, who had identical records going into the match. However, it was the Clippers who came out on top, creating a game of separation and easing their path to a top-six finish. Anthony Davis-led Lakers, on the other hand, were sent back into the play-in picture.
The game also marked Russell Westbrook‘s first match against the Lakers since being traded earlier this season. The former league MVP had an impressive game, finishing with 14 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds in just 21 minutes of play. Westbrook started the game strongly, scoring 10 points in the first quarter, which disrupted the Lakers’ game plan.
Anthony Davis discusses Lakers’ game plan backfire and Westbrook’s performance in loss to Clippers
According to Lakers star Anthony Davis, their plan was to leave Westbrook open and encourage him to shoot. However, the plan backfired when Westbrook made his first two three-point shots, helping the Clippers take an early lead. When asked about Westbrook, Davis admitted, “Our game plan was for him to shoot the ball. And he made them. He made the shots.”
Despite Westbrook not playing much in the second half, Clippers head coach Ty Lue revealed after the game that he was supposed to return for another shift. However, the current group was performing well, so the Clippers decided to stick with them. Lue also spoke about Westbrook’s positive attitude on the bench, even when he is not playing, which was evident once again in this game.
The Lakers’ loss to the Clippers highlights their struggles this season even with LeBron James who scored the highest 33 pts for the Lakers in today’s encounter. The Lakers’ playoff hopes now hang in the balance, with the possibility of having to compete in the play-in tournament. Nonetheless, Davis remains confident, saying, “We still control our own destiny. We’ve got to continue to play well and try to get wins.”
Clippers Extend Dominance Over Lakers with 11th Straight Victory in LA Derby
The LA Clippers continued their dominance over their local rivals, the LA Lakers, as they secured an impressive 125-118 victory on Wednesday night. This was the 11th straight win for the Clippers over the Lakers, cementing their status as the superior team in LA.
The Clippers were led by impressive performances from Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard, who combined for 52 points. Ivica Zubac also had a strong game, finishing with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while former Laker Russell Westbrook contributed 14 points for the Clippers.
Despite a 33-point performance from LeBron James and 17 points and 11 rebounds from Anthony Davis, the Lakers were unable to keep up with their rivals. The Lakers have already secured a spot in the play-in tournament, while the win for the Clippers has helped them move closer to securing a top-six spot in the Western Conference standings..
