Two teams within two games of each other in the Western Conference standings renew their city rivalry on Wednesday night as the Los Angeles Clippers host the Los Angeles Lakers at the Intuit Dome. They are well aware that both teams are fighting for a lot, the Clippers needing a bounce back from a lackluster loss and the Lakers looking to finish off a productive road trip with a statement victory.
Clippers eye redemption after setback in Toronto
Fresh off a 115-108 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, the Clippers are ready for correction. After a closely contested first half at Scotiabank Arena, Tyronn Lue’s group fell apart in the third quarter and allowed the Raptors to stretch their lead to 15 points. A feisty late-game push wasn’t sufficient to narrow the deficit.
Kawhi Leonard had an off night offensively, scoring only 14 points on 6-for-18 shooting — one of the least effective performances since he got back to full health. James Harden, on the other hand, had a respectable showing, with 25 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. The defeat dropped the Clippers to 28-21 on the season, sitting in sixth place in the Western Conference standings.
The Clippers come into Wednesday’s game seeking to complete a two-game sweep of their fellow city rivals this season. With a stretch of home games against the Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies approaching, a win could set the tone for an important stretch.
Lakers Riding High After Trade Shock and Dominant Run
In recent weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in the news for more than just what they have done on the basketball floor. In what many say is the biggest move of the 2023 NBA off-season, the Lakers landed superstar Luka Doncic in a blockbuster deal that saw Anthony Davis head to the Dallas Mavericks. The trade enhances the Lakers’ status as legitimate playoff challengers while Doncic is out with an abdominal injury.
The Lakers (42–38) are peaking under head coach JJ Redick, winning six of their last seven. Their most recent victory was a commanding 128-112 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. As usual, LeBron James was the engine, notching his second triple-double since he turned 40. The Lakers great generated 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists, with high-level help from Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, who totaled 48 points.
Sitting above the Clippers in the standings for now, the Lakers have a chance to create more distance between themselves and their rivals. A victory on Wednesday would not only end a successful six-game road journey on a high note, but would also set the stage for a three-game homestand that begins with a clash against the Golden State Warriors.
Team News: Concern Over Injuries On Both Sides
The Clippers might introduce Patty Mills, absent from the game against Toronto while finalizing a trade from the Utah Jazz. But they could be without Kris Dunn (knee), Cam Christie (ankle) and Norman Powell, who is experiencing soreness in his right hip.
The Lakers, though, still won’t have Luka Doncic, who is still recovering from the abdominal injury he got on Christmas Day. Christian Wood (knee) and fellow former Maverick Maxi Kleber (foot) are also out. Cam Reddish, who has missed the previous two games with personal reasons, should be back in the lineup.
Projected Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Clippers: Harden, Coffey; Leonard, Jones Jr.; Zubac
Los Angeles Lakers: Reaves, Vincent; James, Hachimura; Hayes
Prediction: Lakers to Pull It Out In a Thriller
Games between the Clippers and Lakers rarely disappoint, and Wednesday’s meeting should be yet another enthralling contest. The teams are closely matched, but the Lakers, led by a resurgent LeBron James, have the momentum and therefore the edge.
The Clippers have home-court advantage, but the Lakers are playing with confidence and momentum. A close contest is predicted, but the visitors are expected to win by five or more points.
For fans in Los Angeles and beyond, this showdown at the Intuit Dome is one not to be missed as two heated rivals go head-to-head for bragging rights and an important victory in the Western Conference standings.
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