Like every season, the battle of Los Angeles is followed with particular attention and the premiere of this new exercise was obviously no exception to the rule. For the great return of Kawhi Leonard (14 points and 7 rebounds in 21 minutes), these are the Clippers who took over the Lakers (103-97).
A success obtained with the strength of the collective by the men of Tyronn Lue, where six players finished at 10 points or more. Among them, Ivica Zubac (14 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks), who did a monster job under the boards once morest Anthony Davis (25 points, 8 rebounds). On his side, LeBron James finished with 20 points (7/17), 10 rebounds and 6 assists but mightn’t prevent his team’s second straight loss.
logical, because the Lakers were just too limited collectively and not skillful enough to shoot to hope for better once morest Clippers yet not 100%, but in the lead for almost the entire game.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The great return of Kawhi Leonard. For his first official match since June 2021, the double Finals MVP came off the bench, as rumors announced. An unprecedented scenario for him since November… 2013. Coming into play late, in the shoes of a mere 11th man, the franchise player Clippers quickly resumed his good habits, scoring his first two baskets or scoring a big shot a minute from the end. Only downside: his appearance somewhat destabilized Los Angeles, when everything was rolling for the men of Tyronn Lue, and the meeting was then no longer the same…
— Better, but still not enough for the Lakers. For their second outing of the season, following Tuesday’s once morest the Warriors, the “Purple & Gold” showed a much better face once morest the Clippers. It took them a good quarter of an hour to get going but, once launched, they globally rivaled their neighbour. Except that with a skill of 35% in shooting and 20% in 3-pts, their efforts were not rewarded. Despite great streaks, like when Darvin Ham played small-ballwith LeBron James at the center surrounded by four soldiers brimming with energy.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ John Wall. Kawhi Leonard was not the only player to return to competition because, a year and a half following his last official game, the former All-Star leader (15 points) finally replayed in the NBA. All in aggressiveness and speed, he was also quite good, bringing great things on offense, taking what the Lakers defense gave him. That is to say space and shots at mid-range or penetration. A generally promising recovery, then.
✅ Ivica Zubac. Without complaining, in this role of worker in the shadows which suits him to delight, the Croatian has done the job in the paint, to play eye to eye with Anthony Davis. Perfect in shooting (6/6), ubiquitous in rebounding (new career high) and intimidating near the circle, he was undoubtedly the Clippers’ most reliable and consistent player.
✅ Lonnie Walker IV. Behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the former Spurs back was the most threatening and prominent on the Lakers side (26 points, 9/21 on shots). Always very spontaneous on the offensive level, he never refuses a shot as soon as he has a minimum of space and this aspect of his game has bothered the Clippers, who probably did not expect to see him. draw with equal confidence. To be confirmed, especially if Russell Westbrook or Patrick Beverley continue to tear at the shoot.
⛔ Russell Westbrook et Kendrick Nunn. Catastrophic. This is how to describe the performance of the Westbrook / Nunn duo, on the offensive level. Between them, they actually accumulated a horrible… 0/18 on shots (including 0/10 at 3-pts), for only 2 small points scored, out of a total of 38 minutes! Clearly not the kind of performance that benefits a team, especially since Patrick Beverley on his side shot 1/7 on shots (including 1/6 at 3-pts)…
⛔ The irregularity of the Clippers. Particularly dominating on the rebound (58 to 38!) and much better armed collectively, the teammates of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George nevertheless had to fight to the end once morest these Lakers. The fault, in particular, with their too many losses of ball (22 to 9), which earned them to revive their opponents in the evening twice. In the first half, when they were leading by 16 points, then in the second half, when they were leading by 15 points. Real roller coaster.
THE FOLLOWING
L.A. Lakers (0-2) : Portland reception, Sunday evening (9:30 p.m.).
L.A. Clippers (1-0) : trip to Sacramento, in the night from Saturday to Sunday (04:00).
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