Clippers stronger than LeBron James’ 46 points

The Clippers did not come to their Los Angeles neighbor to laugh. Tyronn Lue’s troops start the match with a 9-0. The ball goes around, Kawhi Leonard and his teammates find 3-point shots and hit again and again. They always have an answer behind the arc to offer. Symbol of their success, this shot at the buzzer from Terance Mann to conclude the first quarter (30-37).

In the second quarter, the Lakers are suffocated by the opposing defense. The Clippers protect their basket with several counterattacks, including one from Nicolas Batum (4 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists) on Russell Westbrook. After two baskets in a row from Leonard, the gap rises to twenty points. The domination of the Clippers, in attack as in defense, is total in this first act. The 15/22 at 3-pts is particularly very, very bad (54-77 at the break).

In the second half, LeBron James tries to wake up his teammates with some award-winning baskets. Tyronn Lue’s men are finally a little less skilful and the Lakers are starting to come back. For a short time because Kawhi Leonard shows up once again and maintains the gap between the two teams (82-98). It was then that James and company began their comeback as against Portland a few days earlier.

In the last quarter, the “King” stacks the baskets to 3-pts (he will finish with 9 successes, his career high) and the Darvin Ham players are now only ten points behind. Except that the Clippers are much stronger than the Blazers. The Lakers lose a few balls, which benefit a brilliant Leonard of efficiency with 25 points at 11/16 to shoot. Logical and authoritative victory for the Clippers (115-133) despite LeBron James’ 46 points, and this is their third in a row.