Game #80: LAL @ LAC—THE BATTLE FOR LA—Wednesday 4/5 7PM, ESPN

[esqtvd]

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[Roscoe Sheed]

Was hoping the Utah B Team would pull out the victory tonight. They came close, but fell short. Makes this game even more important.

[The High Cyde]

Have a feeling the Lakers take this one. They struggled a bit against Utah tonight but as a whole they damn well have been playing better ball than the Clips lately. Must win game though.

[Dynamix]

Can't ask for more of a rest advantage than this. Don't want to hear any excuse about missing PG, we beat them before without him or Kawhi, even both.

Just hope it's not going to end up being a Russ vs. Them situation. We'll need him to play well for sure, but not force the issue on every possession trying to prove something.

Having Gordon back would be nice, maybe Norm can put up some decent numbers as well.

Zu will have his hands full, but that's nothing new.

Either Nico and RoCo need to show up on offense.

Terance, please, have one of those games!

Does Ty unleash our secret weapon, the well rested Laker Killer Mook?

Could Denver give us Reggie back just for this one game?

Exciting times. Not particularly looking forward to the playoffs right now, so I'll take whatever joy I can still get in the regular season.

[Kelphus]

Vegas believes - we are 2.5 to 3 point favorites across the Board.

With the win vs. the Jazz, Clips and fLakers are exactly tied. (of course with 10 straight wins we own the tiebreaker)

We will beat the fLakers, even with all the recent disappointment and problems, and even with PG13 on the bench.

[MartinToVaught]

If the Lakers can't win tonight, they might never beat us again. I mean, between the free throws they've been getting lately and how awful we are right now, it should be easy for them.

[ejftw]

The second quarter will be the key here, won't be shocked if Lakers get out to a hot start in the first, just off momentum, but tired legs should kick in.

[donemilio21]

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This sounds wrong. If we win tonight and lose next 2 games, we finish 42-40. Warriors can go 2-1 and finish 43-39 thus claiming the 5th seed.

Btw if we end up lower in standings than Lakers, hopefully that would seal Lou's fate as he has been a massive failure this season.

[madmaxmedia]

Was hoping the Utah B Team would pull out the victory tonight. They came close, but fell short. Makes this game even more important.

I was rooting hard too, but now that's its over I'm kind of glad in retrospect as it really builds up the anticipation for this game- win or lose. Like really no excuses no matter what, no 'well we're still tied with them' or whatever.

Our schedules are really similar after tonight. One game against Phoenix, another game against decent Western team out of the playoffs (Portland, Utah.) I guess Phoenix needs 1 more to clinch the #4 seed, which could be advantageous for us as we play them last game of the year. But really tonight is most important of all.

[madmaxmedia]

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This sounds wrong. If we win tonight and lose next 2 games, we finish 42-40. Warriors can go 2-1 and finish 43-39 thus claiming the 5th seed.

Btw if we end up lower in standings than Lakers, hopefully that would seal Lou's fate as he has been a massive failure this season.

I think the comment about 'sole possession of 5th place' only means as it stands after the game tonight, apparently we both have tiebreakers over GSW? (good to know!)

[clipperlover]

Until these teams meet in a playoff series, there is no "Battle for LA".

Lakers have racked up a good record since the All-Star break and just went 4-0 on the road. However, they haven't played anyone in the top 3 of either conference during this stretch. They have home wins against Phoenix and GS, but neither of those teams are good on the road. Beating NOP in NOLA is probably their best win. They went to OT last night against a Jazz team that that trotted out a starting 5 that combines for ~40PPG.

Clips have played 6 games amongst the Top 3 Teams in the West since the break. While we are 2-4 in those games, we took two of those games to OT.

Clips have had several days off to tighten things up. I expect them to be focused and ready.

[clipperlover]

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This sounds wrong. If we win tonight and lose next 2 games, we finish 42-40. Warriors can go 2-1 and finish 43-39 thus claiming the 5th seed.

Btw if we end up lower in standings than Lakers, hopefully that would seal Lou's fate as he has been a massive failure this season.

I think the comment about 'sole possession of 5th place' only means as it stands after the game tonight, apparently we both have tiebreakers over GSW? (good to know!)

GS ends the season on the road. At best, they will end the season with 11 road wins. Luckily for them, they get a few days off before their next game against a Sac team that doesn't have anything to gain. Sac could just take it to them though. They are going to get a week off, so no need to rest and get out of sync.

[NickP]

Lol @ battle for LA. The Lakers don't give a rats behind to who wins the battle for LA.
I think they care more for NBA championships. The war.

[Bobbymcgee]

Still no George but Lakers playing the second game of a B2B after a tough OT win in Utah. Should make for an interesting game tonight.

I think the Clippers can pull off the next two after that though against Portland and Phoenix but both are of course scheduled as a B2B for the Clippers. Portland already shut down Lillard and Phoenix should be resting their starters at this point with nothing left to play for. So, they should be easy wins for the Clippers. We shall see though.

[esqtvd]

cruel but fair lol

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[The High Cyde]

Morris was at practice today I believe, he might be active tonight lol watch out!

[esqtvd]

Morris was at practice today I believe, he might be active tonight lol watch out!

icymi lol
from the Be Careful What You Wish For department

LAST 3 GAMES WITH MARCUS OUT:

Batum: 22 mpg, 2.0 ppg--18.2% FG/11.1% 3-pt--minus-2.1 per 100

Covington: 23 mpg, 11 ppg--6.2 fouls, minus-6.2 per 100

T-Mann: 26 mpg, 7.3 ppg, 31.9% FG, minus-7.8 per 100

DISHONORABLE MENTION: Mason Plumlee, -25.9 per 100 possessions

[The High Cyde]

Morris was at practice today I believe, he might be active tonight lol watch out!

icymi lol
from the Be Careful What You Wish For department

LAST 3 GAMES WITH MARCUS OUT:

Batum: 22 mpg, 2.0 ppg--18.2% FG/11.1% 3-pt--minus-2.1 per 100

Covington: 23 mpg, 11 ppg--6.2 fouls, minus-6.2 per 100

T-Mann: 26 mpg, 7.3 ppg, 31.9% FG, minus-7.8 per 100

DISHONORABLE MENTION: Mason Plumlee, -25.9 per 100 possessions

Yeah I saw your post of these numbers, and think we really need to upgrade this rotation in the off-season. Covington I feel like would be a tad better had he been given a consistent role and minutes. Regarding Mann, he’s gotta step up in production.

Not a fun season by any stretch.

[Scoundreldays]

I have no faith tonight. Reason being the Lakers play with actual urgency and we don't. Please prove me wrong.

[madmaxmedia]

I have no faith tonight. Reason being the Lakers play with actual urgency and we don't. Please prove me wrong.

We both will, although to what end I don't know. I think it will be a 50/50 game.