LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers established an early connection around the basket in their season opener. Their next opponent found plenty of success inside, too.
After beating the Golden State Warriors 127-105 on Wednesday, the Lakers host the Clippers on Friday at Crypto.com Arena, with both teams looking to build on convincing opening-night victories.
Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler combined for 77 points in the Lakers’ win. Now, L.A. could get its first look at another offseason addition as Collin Sexton prepares to join the rotation.
Here are three things to watch in the Lakers’ second game of the season.
Who wins the battle in the paint?
Both teams made scoring inside a significant part of their opening-night wins.
The Lakers scored 66 points in the paint against Golden State, with Kessler contributing 26 points and nine rebounds. The Clippers scored 56 paint points in their 121-96 victory over Sacramento.
Friday presents an opportunity to see which team can maintain that production while making the other work harder around the basket.
For the Lakers, that starts with Dončić and Reaves creating openings through their drives and work with Kessler. His screens and rolls can force defenders to choose between stopping the ball and staying close enough to prevent a finish.
Defensively, L.A. must limit penetration without surrendering easy passing opportunities behind the help. Kessler’s presence matters, this is a huge test to see what he can bring inside mucking up any shot attempt, but the guards and wings must also need to keep the Clippers from repeatedly reaching him with an advantage.
What does Sexton bring to the second unit?
Sexton is available after being removed from the injury report, putting him in position to make his Lakers debut following a right soleus strain.
His arrival gives JJ Redick another option to initiate the offense and attack the basket when Dončić or Reaves rests.
The first thing to watch is how Sexton balances his own scoring opportunities with getting teammates involved. His speed can help create early offense, but also rust can be a factor in his play with not playing a single minute in the preseason.
Jake LaRavia’s questionable status with a right ankle sprain adds another variable as Redick assembles his bench groups.
Can the Lakers disrupt Darius Garland?
Garland scored 30 points in the Clippers’ season-opening win, making him an immediate focus for the Lakers’ perimeter defense.
Containing him begins with the Lakers wings in Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams getting the start next to Dončić, Reaves and Kessler.
Thybulle had the assignment on Stephen Curry in the opener, so look for him to take on the Garland assignment for this matchup as well.