FINALLY! After 3 seasons, the Lakers finally defeat the Clippers in OT 130-125. LeBron looked as great as he ever did against this team with 35/11/7 and his 3 point shot was falling. His FT shooting is not looking good, but he was still very efficient from the field. AD having some big defensive plays and quietly but surely getting 27/10 getting to the line at a good clip.
As Laker fans, we all know that LeBron/AD era has been way more successful than the Kawhi/PG era. Clippers made 1 WCF while the Lakers have won a chip and made another WCF last year. However, there were lots of people talking about how the basement team has finally risen, and it’s been dating back to 2019 with Kawhi’s New Balance ads with the crown dangling over his car, taking clear shots at LeBron. Everytime the Clippers play the Lakers, they look unstoppable while being lackluster or average against everyone else. It was the case for the last 3 years. It looked like that would be the case today with Kawhi and PG13 combining for 73 points. However, LeBron, AD, DLo, AR15 all had something to say about that.
Obviously that 3rd quarter run without LeBron was the turning point, but the part of the game that honestly started turning the tide was when the Lakers hit 2 straight 3’s (one by Wood and one by Christie) to end the first quarter to cut the lead from 19 to 13. Even though it took almost more quarters to get back within single digits, we were still within striking distance and needed 1 more run, which we got in the 3rd quarter.
Obviously, I didn’t love the fact that we had to take the game into OT with us being up by 9 with 2 mins left. However, the Lakers responded in OT and Reaves was great at the end. The Lakers needed this win psychologically. Now, for once, they have a chance to slowly change the narrative that the Clippers are the team to beat in LA. Sure, they may be better with Harden but they also could self destruct in big games, as that’s what seems to happen in James Harden teams. It was a hell of a game and I liked that Wood got a lot of minutes. Can’t wait to get Rui and Vando back.