The Lakers beat the Clippers 106–103 on Sunday night, snapping a four-game losing run. With 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, LeBron James had a great game. With 1:17 left in the game, Taurean Prince made a 3-pointer that won it.
The Lakers beat their foes the Clippers for the second time in a row. Before that, they had lost 11 straight games to them across the hall. Anthony Davis had 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Moore’s 3-point shot went in and out at the end, but the Lakers held on to beat one of the best teams in the NBA. Besides that, the Lakers have only won four of the fourteen games they’ve played since winning the NBA’s first-ever in-season tourney.
After five games, the Clippers lost their series. Ivica Zubac scored 22 points and grabbed 19 boards, and Paul George scored 22 points. They were the first team James Harden played against since being traded to the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard scored 15 points in that game. Harden also set up nine other shots. In their last 17 games, the Lakers have won 14 of them.
It wasn’t until Russell hit his third three-pointer early in the fourth that either team had a lead of more than ten points. That gave the Lakers a 92-82 lead. With 2:19 left, Powell made three free throws that tied the game. This was the Clippers’ last run of nine straight points. The Lakers only made two out of seven shots and turned the ball over six times during this time.
Russell, on the other hand, set up Prince for a big 3-point shot from beyond the line. Russell made one of his best shots since he joined the Lakers. Another important shot was made by James, but Harden missed a shooter. Harden made a 3-point shot with 23 seconds left to keep the game close.
Prince made two free throws, but Zubac scored right away. As time ran out, Austin Reaves missed one of his two free throws. Powell looked good, but his tie wasn’t tied right.
Russ scored 13 points and made three 3-pointers in his first game back after missing three with a sprained tailbone. The last time the Lakers beat the Clippers was three years ago. But early this season, they won in OT.
A “visiting” team, the Clippers, played their last game in their home. Unless they play each other in the playoffs, that is. The team had a big moment. These two Los Angeles teams will play their last two games against each other this season at “home” venues. Most of the time, there are more Lakers fans at home games than Clippers fans.
The Staples Center building has been used by both the Clippers and the Lakers since it opened in 1999. The Clippers have finally become a real enemy in the last ten years, after years of being bad.
Next season, the Intuit Dome will open in Inglewood. It is owned by Steve Ballmer, the wealthy owner of the Clippers. For the past 25 years, the team has had to play in the Lakers’ arena. Now, they will have their own space.