Luka & Reaves Combine for 67 as Lakers Edge Clippers Late

Written by Malcolm Xavier of The Lakers Room

The Lakers finally had a clean injury report, until they did not - less than 24 hours after the groundbreaking news. Groundbreaking for Lakers fans anyway as of the last few years. LeBron sits as a game time decision tonight vs. the rival eh cross-town Clippers, with knee soreness. Other than that the Lakeshow sport a clean bill of health for their first post All Star contest. It's the final contest of the season between the two city-mates with the Lakers entering as 3 point favorites as tehy attempt to tie the season series. The Clippers won the last two games at Intuit Dome including a 112-104 win in which they led by 26 points before a Lakers rally fell short. One glaring difference now from those contest is glaring, no James Harden or Zubac. Surprisingly I find myself more excited for the latter.

LeBron James was announced as available just prior to tip off. The game started with a 7-2 Brook Lopez run who scored all of the Clippers first three baskets including an and one. Austin Reaves responded in turn with the Lakers first seven. Luka Doncic had his hands all over the game early per usual with 17 first quarter points including 4/5 shooting from downtown. LeBron chipped in 7 of his below average 13 total points in the first quarter the Lakers led the game 41-30 after one quarter.

The Lakers began the game with Smart and Vanderbilt which would make you belief a solid defense effort would follow, instead we got a tour de force from Kawhi Leonard. He was even more unstoppable than Doncic in the first quarter and bombarded the Lakers with 19 of the Clippers 35 second quarter points to trim the lead to seven going into the half.

The Clippers won the third quarter also 30-27 behind another hot shooting quarter from Leonard. They took the lead back from the Lakers 87-86 on a Ben Mathurin and one after drawing a shooting foul on Luka. Doncic quickly re took the lead on a 26 foot three pointer. The Lakers closed the third up 99-95 after four Austin Reaves free throws.

The fourth quarter featured alot of chirping between Luka Doncic and Kris Dunn, mostly all pretty much from Luka. The Lakers caught their biggest break with Kawhi Leonard exiting early due to ankle soreness, then their second leading scorer in Mathurin fouling out. Marcus Smart came up with a big three in the fourth along with a near four point play. Luka and Reaves also added big three pointers to help close the door on the Clips 125-122. LeBron almost gave up the game with a lazy turnover that gave Batum a shot at sending the game into overtime. The Lakers go to 34-21 and face Boston at home on Sunday.