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LOS ANGELES — The Clippers fall to the Lakers 106-102 in round one of their back-to-back matchups on Friday night. Luka Dončić and LeBron James outplay Kawhi Leonard and James Harden to help the Lakers knockoff the Clippers. The Clippers are now 32-27 after the loss and the Lakers move to 37-21 as they prepare for their next matchup on Sunday night.
Here are some takeaways from the Clippers loss to the Lakers:
Happy Birthday Luka
Lakers star Luka Dončić was celebrating his 26th birthday on Friday night and his play helped the Lakers walk away with a win over their crosstown rival.
Dončić scored a game-high 31 points adding five assists and three steals.
He was the focal point of the offense and in the fourth quarter and he didn’t disappoint. He scored 10 of the Lakers’ 23 points in the quarter to finish off the Clippers.
He was a bit more efficient compared to the night before shooting 9-for-22 (3-for-9 from 3) and converted on 10 of his 11 free throw attempts.
The birthday boy has given the Clippers problems throughout his career and there was nothing different tonight. He averages 32.4 points against the Clippers in his career and 30.8 points when playing on his birthday.
Even with James on the team it looks like coach JJ Redick will give Dončić the keys to the offense and tonight he drove the Lakers to a victory.
Zubac punishes Lakers inside
Coming into this matchup you know the Clippers had an advantage inside with Ivica Zubac and he went to work.
Zubac was the best player on the night for the Clippers as he scored a team-high 27 points with 16 rebounds and a block. He was 13-for-15 from the field.
He was scoring on one-on-ones in the post, scoring from offensive rebounds and doing his best to protect the rim for Los Angeles.
Zubac scored 11 of the Clippers’ 25 points in the fourth quarter as they tried to steal the game.
This was one of the first games in a while that the Clippers made sure their skilled center got touches in the fourth quarter and he didn’t disappoint.
I expect Los Angeles to play through him again in the rematch on Sunday.
Lakers second unit steps up with injury to Reaves
The Lakers came into the game without one starter with the absence of Rui Hachimura who has been diagnosed with left patellar tendinopathy.
Austin Reaves experienced soreness in his calf and the team held him out for precautionary reasons after starting the game.
It left the Lakers really shorthanded the rest of the night. James and Dončić did what they do best but the “others” helped pitch in to give the Lakers the win.
Backup wing players Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent and Jordan Goodwin received more minutes without Reaves no longer available and contributed well. They combined to score 21 points and gave some good energy in the defensive end to hassle the Clippers wings
Trey Jemison III gave the Lakers a solid 22 minutes to help deal with the disadvantage in the paint. He finished with five points and six rebounds. Jemison and Jaxson Hayes did their best to patrol the paint and make it tough on Zubac’s and drivers to the paint.
In Norman Powell’s absence from the game the Clippers bench underwhelmed with their play. They combined to score just 14 points and were completely outplayed by the Lakers second unit which led to a loss for the Clippers.
Getting it Dunn Part 2
Kris Dunn has been a true positive for the Clippers after the All Star break.
He is not only showing that he should be an All-Defensive first team player but he is giving the Clippers a much needed offensive boost.
He scored 14 points in the first half to pace the Clippers early on. Dunn was all-world in the first half with his play and his impact was felt throughout though he wasn't able to score again the rest of the way. He added six assists on that end to keep the Clippers in the game.
On defense he was back harassing another group of wings as he collected four steals to go along with nine rebounds.
Dunn is a key component to the success of the Clippers going forward. So let’s see if he can continue to be a plus for a team trying to get back on track when it comes to winning.