Staples Center opened for business in 1999 to be tailored specifically for the Lakers, while offering the Clippers an advantageous lease agreement that allowed them to share in its ownership while playing under their championship banners.
Up until recently, it seemed unlikely that two teams could ever establish a sustainable rivalry at home; now however, the Clippers have the chance to carve out their own identity and forge an alliance in Los Angeles.
Lakers LeBron James
After reaching the Western Conference Finals last season, many expected the Los Angeles Lakers would remain among the league’s elite teams this year. Unfortunately, however, they have found it hard to settle into their position and currently rank 11th in their Western Conference division.
LeBron James scored 25 points as the Lakers defeated city rivals the Clippers 106?103 to end their four-game losing streak. Anthony Davis contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles.
Kyrie Irving hit two 3-pointers that helped lead Dallas Mavs past Western Conference leaders Minnesota Timberwolves 115-108 in Dallas. Luka Doncic added 34 points for Dallas.
D’Angelo Russell
The Lakers are hoping that Russell can provide them with a significant boost off of the bench, and he showed signs of life on Sunday night. He made an outstanding jumper to give them their first double-digit lead of the game while scoring on two offensive rebounds.
He helped tame Kawhi Leonard’s shooting, keeping the former Clippers star to just 6-of-17 shooting and 15 points. And when they needed a big play defensively, he came through with a crucial block on Franz Wagner’s shot in the lane.
Over his last five games, he’s averaged 13.4 points, 6.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds per contest.
Taurean Prince
Taurean Prince hit one of his signature 3-point shots since joining the Lakers and helped hold off a late comeback attempt by the Clippers at Staples Center – their final meeting there before billionaire Steve Ballmer opens Intuit Dome next season in Inglewood and puts an end to this 25-year cohabitation between both Los Angeles teams.
The Lakers desperately needed a win against a surging Clippers squad who have been one of the best teams recently in order to maintain a winning record and reach 14-4 overall. LeBron James led with 25 points while Anthony Davis added 22 and 10 rebounds as Anthony Davis scored 24 for 14-4 overall Lakers victory.
The Lakers held onto a double-digit lead for much of the second half, until D’Angelo Russell scored his third 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter and allowed the Clippers to capitalize on some Lakers turnovers to close within five points with less than two minutes remaining. Austin Reaves and Prince each made free throws late on while Norman Powell’s last-second effort at tying was unsuccessful.
Anthony Davis
LeBron James and Anthony Davis made an immediate impact as the Lakers battled through to beat one of the league’s hottest teams. Yet it was truly the entire team’s contribution that provided their greatest boost; eight out of nine Lakers players scored at least seven points with Cam Reddish and Taurean Prince making notable impacts.
Impressively, the Lakers’ reserves held up well defensively against a Clippers squad which often found itself outnumbered at home arena. That the Lakers could rely on their depth to secure this win is a promising sign ahead of their final two weeks of season play.
Anthony Marshon Davis Jr. (born December 19, 1995) is an American professional basketball player currently competing for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He can be found playing both power forward and center positions and was previously part of New Orleans Pelicans.
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