GAME #35: LAC (22-12) @ LAKERS (17-19) SUN 1/7—6:30 PM

[esqtvd]

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[Dynamix]

Weird game. Many Lakers fans are expecting a blowout, hoping that could be the final nail in Ham's coffin. Meanwhile, the players are going to act like their entire season depends on it, which might be true to some extent. Despite those recent struggles, it's still a tough opponent with two healthy stars, who OKC lost to not that long ago and the Wolves also struggled against.

Hope this won't end up being a reverse of the last few seasons, when we had plenty of other issues, but always found ways to beat them, no matter who was out there.

Really want both of these next two games. I'm encouraged by the fact that we're finding ways to win even after slow starts, with Kawhi's shooting looking slightly more human-like, and have been able to produce stints of great defense on a pretty consistent basis.

[KingCrimzzon]

Weird game. Many Lakers fans are expecting a blowout, hoping that could be the final nail in Ham's coffin. Meanwhile, the players are going to act like their entire season depends on it, which might be true to some extent. Despite those recent struggles, it's still a tough opponent with two healthy stars, who OKC lost to not that long ago and the Wolves also struggled against.

Hope this won't end up being a reverse of the last few seasons, when we had plenty of other issues, but always found ways to beat them, no matter who was out there.

Really want both of these next two games. I'm encouraged by the fact that we're finding ways to win even after slow starts, with Kawhi's shooting looking slightly more human-like, and have been able to produce stints of great defense on a pretty consistent basis.

I have a have feeling a bad feeling about this one. LAL will play super desperate and possibly have a full squad. They also seem due for a game where they are hot from 3. Couple that with LAL home game and ref help, they may put up 120+ points. We kind of need this game since we get PHX on back end of the B2B, even if it's true for both teams, PHX will be looking to avenge their home loss with KD. On the flip side, if we win both: the contender status will be heard loud and clear by the league (if it's not already).

[madmaxmedia]

Weird game. Many Lakers fans are expecting a blowout, hoping that could be the final nail in Ham's coffin. Meanwhile, the players are going to act like their entire season depends on it, which might be true to some extent. Despite those recent struggles, it's still a tough opponent with two healthy stars, who OKC lost to not that long ago and the Wolves also struggled against.

Hope this won't end up being a reverse of the last few seasons, when we had plenty of other issues, but always found ways to beat them, no matter who was out there.

Really want both of these next two games. I'm encouraged by the fact that we're finding ways to win even after slow starts, with Kawhi's shooting looking slightly more human-like, and have been able to produce stints of great defense on a pretty consistent basis.

I have a have feeling a bad feeling about this one. LAL will play super desperate and possibly have a full squad. They also seem due for a game where they are hot from 3. Couple that with LAL home game and ref help, they may put up 120+ points. We kind of need this game since we get PHX on back end of the B2B, even if it's true for both teams, PHX will be looking to avenge their home loss with KD. On the flip side, if we win both: the contender status will be heard loud and clear by the league (if it's not already).

We gotta start strong and deflate their hopes. Would love to be up big at half and the boo birds come out in the second half. We have too many weapons to not be able to do this, and they don't have enough weapons that we can't defend them at least reasonably well.

[Dynamix]

[MartinToVaught]

I thought I was the only one paranoid enough to think this will be a get-right game for the Lakers with how much they're getting ripped in the media lately. Hope we're all wrong.

[Ballings7]

Feel like AD and LeBron are going to be all out this game and like its a win or go home kind of game.. Both are likely to play strong, AD will likely have a big-time game.

But, Clips have more talent and more cohesion to fall back on to combat that well.

Think this will be a close game either way... giving the edge coming in to the Clips.

Clips should also be extra motivated because this'll be their first game against the Lakers in the "flow" with Harden, to "prove"..

[clipperlover]

My son sent me a message that I found weird. I researched it and it is true.

If the Clippers beat the Lakers 1 more time this year, the Clips will have beaten the Lakers more times head to head in Staples/Crypto era. Currently, the record is Lakers 47 vs Clippers 49.

The best Lakers can do is win the all-time Staples/Crypto series 50-49 (25 Seasons). The best Clips can do is 52-47.

Pretty crazy considering the Lakers won 6 NBA titles and played in the Finals 8 times during that stretch (and an in Season Tournament title).

[Kelphus]

Clippers are only 3.5 point favorites. Vegas is blinded by the Purple and Gold mystique.

Not me.

Clips by 12+

We own Staples/Crypto, then we leave them for our palace in Inglewood. FYI it's right across Century Blvd. from Sofi, looks great. Quite a complex. City of LA building a 1.9 billion dollar peoplemover spur to the Sofi/Intuit/Forum complex... federal government just committed 1 billion. Even the feds believe!

Go Clippers demolish the fLakers.

[HardenGoat]

This will be a test for sure as the Lakers will be emptying their guns and throwing them tonight. The refs of course will be an obstacle. I usually don’t point fingers about refs but it’s been obvious this year especially having watched their recent path to the in season tournament. Lebron is treated like a diva and relies on special treatment and gets it. He’s now more than ever being allowed to off hand clear players out on drives. I expect a lot of bulldozing the paint from them and touch fouls. Transition defense is our biggest concern here. Ty has been drilling that point the last few weeks though thank god. It could be an ugly game, but we should win this from a chemistry and overall talent perspective. At some point players will reject the blame their leader constantly shades their way which is magnified by the media and fan base.

[ERClips]

They might get all that preferential treatment from the refs and they’ll bring the best offense they have but they do not have the defense for our guys. If we just keep doing what we do then I don’t see the Lakers being able to keep up.

[TrueLAfan]

I think we'll be ready. The in-town rivalry is still a motivating factor (on both sides). Add in that this is Harden's first game against the Lakers in a Clipper uni, and the still present Westbrook anger at his treatment ... I'm thinking we'll be good to go.

I think the key will be shutting down most of the Lakers secondary players. That's kind of been the game plan that has taken them down. Everyone talks about how Ham keeps trying to find the right combo--that's a fancy way of saying the Lakers aren't getting much out of anyone except LeBron and Davis. I'm okay with those two hanging 55 on us, as long as Austin Reaves and Cam Reddish and D'Angelo Russell get held under 35 or so. I don't see the Lakers having enough defensively to slow us down much if we play anything like we have been.

[Kelphus]

Vegas is awakening a bit.... Clippers spread grows by 2 - 5.5 favorites now. Still too low.

[KL2]

It doesn’t matter how confident I feel in the team right now I hate playing desperate teams looking for a win.

Hope the good guys come out with laser focus.

[NickP]

I thought I was the only one paranoid enough to think this will be a get-right game for the Lakers with how much they're getting ripped in the media lately. Hope we're all wrong.

But you have a paranoid feeling for almost every game

[NickP]

Come out swinging early and choke them by the 3rd. The Lakers are looking to right their ship and lebron and AD will be thirsty to start the game.
Give them no quarter!!

[ejftw]

Gonna come out, take a 15 point lead, let it get chipped away, build it back, chipped away, etc until the final five minutes, like every game has seemingly been with the Lakers.

Just need to end the game on a run

[KL2]

We have the small lead but it doesn’t feel good.

Bricks and turnovers.

Never give hope to a desperate team looking for a win.

Wake up Clippers.

[Scoundreldays]

A little rough felt like I was watching my roommate and I playing 2k with some of these plays haha

[KL2]

Ouch. Bad time for Powell to get injured. Especially on that play. That better be a flagrant 1.

Why only 3 fts?

Need Leonard to wake up.