OCEANSIDE, Calif. – The San Diego Clippers (7-9) and South Bay Lakers (5-10) had a packed crowd at Frontwave Arena, where the Clippers won, 125-113.
Per sources, Bronny James warmed up to play in the matchup, but was a last minute scratch, and thus the Lakers, and the extremely large crowd in the building, were without the notable guard.
Touching on the crowd, it was the largest crowd in San Diego Clipper history, according to Clippers staff. Using the eye test, the stadium was absolutely packed.
“The crowd gave us a great lift. It was the largest crowd we’ve had all season, and I liked the fact that we started to get our rhythm back,” said Paul Hewitt, head coach of the Clippers.
The Lakers got off to a 9-2 start after San Diego had several turnovers on consecutive possessions. The Clips’ had to call timeout to talk things over.
A 3 pointer by Cam Christie tied the game 12-12, but the Lakers responded with a three of their own. It stayed a back and forth midway through the quarter, both teams looked settled in. Within the last three minutes of the first, the Clippers were able to pull away, and maintain a solid double-digit lead at 37-26.
A 9-0 run by San Diego got the second quarter started. At this point it was an 18 point, 44-26 lead. The question was if they could hold onto it. DJ Carton, who was acquired a few weeks ago, looked a lot more comfortable on the floor than he did in his debut, clearly facilitating the ball.
Hewitt noted on the roster changes (such as with Carton), “Our mission with the G League staff is to make sure we just develop these players. Nothing has changed in terms of our approach, our development plan, but team offense definitely, because these guys need to get to know each other.”
After the run by the Clippers, the Lakers responded with a 10-0 run of their own to cut the lead to 10.
The Clippers started to turn the ball over again, coming within 5 points with just under three minutes left in the half. Braxton Key had a nice dunk on the offensive end, but South Bay came down and hit a 3 pointer which also really shut the crowd down as well.
A 3 pointer by the Lakers’ Quincy Olivari tied the game at 63-all. The Clippers failed to capitalize on key possessions to end the half, which meant it stayed tied going into the locker room.
San Diego actually played very well in the first half. The issue was actually the turnover ratio. They committed 10 turnovers to South Bay’s 2, which allowed the Lakers to convert on the fast break.
It was a quick start to the second half, with both teams running the fast break and scoring. 4 minutes in, San Diego regained control at 75-68. Kai Jones was coming alive in the frame as well, with several high flying dunks. He had 14 points through that point.
An 15-10 run by South Bay brought them back into the game, with the Clips having a slim 85-83 lead. In the last 90 seconds of the quarter kept it close, capped off by an and-1 dunk by Jones, who hit the free throw. Clips’ led 94-87.
Four minutes into the final quarter, the Clippers started to run away, blooming the lead up to 106-93. The offense was running through the two-pronged attack by Jones and Key, who both racked up more than 20 points each.
The game’s pace was quick, with a Trentyn Flowers fast break dunk, and then a response 3 pointer by South Bay before the fans could stop celebrating Flowers’ bucket.
After a fastbreak dunk by Carton, the Lakers had to call timeout and talk, 118-105 San Diego with under 4 to play.
The Lakers cut the San Diego lead to single-digits, but they were able to keep the lead afloat. A dagger 3 pointer by Jalen Adaway sealed the win, and as the buzzer sounded, San Diego got the 125-113 win over South Bay.
Key finished with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Jones himself had 24 points and 9 rebounds, both players combining for 50 points.
Carton also contributed 20 points and 6 assists. Solomon Young had 27 points for the Lakers.
San Diego heads on the road to play the Valley Suns on Feb. 10. Tip-off will be at 6 p.m. and the game will be played at Mullett Arena.