LeBron James. Anthony Davis. Kawhi Leonard. Paul George.
The stars were out and in full effect yesterday in a Sunday afternoon showcase between the two teams with the league's most star power. A showcase between the two teams that everyone expects to meet in the Western Conference Finals and battle it out in seven knock-down, drag-out contests to see who will represent the City of Angels, never mind just the West, in the NBA Finals come June.
The Clippers had been up 2-0 on the Lakers this season, winning on October 22 by 10 - 112-102 - and on Christmas Day by 5, 111-106. If for no other reason, the Lakers needed yesterday's game to prove to themselves that when they are at their best, they can beat their city rivals. That when they are at their best, they might be the best team in the NBA.
And they did just that.
In front of a LA crowd that was more Lakers than Clippers (James received MVP chants and Laker jerseys were all over the crowd), and Hollywood and music luminaries were abound (Leonardo DiCaprio and Jay-Z, to name two) the Lakers emerged victorious in the highly anticipated, marquee match up, winning 112-103.
The Lakers pulled away in the second half, starting in the 3rd quarter when they put up 36 points, reversing the momentum and taking control. Down 53-49 at halftime, they led 85-81 at the end of the three. Davis led them in the game with 30 points and 8 rebounds, but it was James (28, 9 assists, 7 rebounds) who set the tone all game long. Early on the in the contest, he posted up Leonard and drove by him for a layup, and then, early in the second quarter, he pinned a Reggie Jackson layup attempt against the backboard. Two plays as if to say "this is still my league".
It was James' tone setting that led the Lakers to a win that they needed, proving that they could beat a Clipper team fully healthy, a team that was previously 10-0 when all their players had been healthy. James spearheaded a Laker team that played solid defense throughout - as a unit the Clippers shot 39.5% - and also got help from its role players, which provided another, if not the, difference in the game. Avery Bradley, the former Celtic and All-Defensive team member who is no stranger to high stakes and big games, played exceptional, hitting 6 threes on his way to 24 points. Kyle Kuzma, who many feel needs to be that "third wheel" if the Lakers are to win it all, didn't shoot the ball well (3 of 8), but had 10 rebounds. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 9 points off the bench, and Rajon Rondo had 7 assists, playing a solid second half after a mediocre first one, running things offensively at times and finding open teammates.
For the Clippers, it was a role reversal for their role players. Arguably the deepest team in all of the NBA, their others failed to deliver. Montrezl Harrell had 20 points and 8 rebounds off the bench, but Lou Williams, Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson - each of whom could also score 20 on a given night - were a combined 6 of 27 from the field, with Morris going 0 of 9 and missing all 7 of his three point attempts.
While Paul George was great - 31 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block - Kawhi Leonard did not play his best, and didn't really get going until the second half. He finished with 27 points on 9 of 18, but was just 2 of 9 from three and had 0 assists and 0 steals. In future meetings - the two teams meet again April 9, and for a potential playoff match up - the Clippers, particularly their role players, will have to be better.
The Lakers made a statement when they needed to make one. And, while I don't think James should win MVP over Giannis Antetokounmpo (Giannis is a +5 over James when combining their points, rebounds, and assists averages and is playing just 31 minutes per game), he did move that he might still be the best player in the game (I believe it to be Leonard), or that he at least imposes his will on a game more than anyone.
The Clippers, meanwhile, went into this game having beat the Lakers twice already. They proved they could beat them at their best, and the Lakers returned the favor on Sunday. One team was clicking on all cylinders, while the other was not. You could also look at it that way for the first two meetings of the season, too. There are just so many fascinating things about these two teams matching up, so much depth on both teams, so much star power.
To me, they are clearly the two best teams in the league, despite what Antetokounmpo is doing out East, despite the fact that he's beaten each team and that they have the best record in the league. At their best, though, I don't think there is another team better than the two in LA. They are the two best.
And in their third tussle yesterday, the Lakers got the edge. A game where their stars played star like and the role players played their role, a game that they needed for their psyche.
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