Following Thursday’s game at the NBA campus in Orlando, the Lakers and Clippers have now faced each other four times this season, with each team winning a pair of those games.
Los Angeles’ teams are widely viewed as the top two contenders to make it out of the Western Conference and compete in the NBA Finals this fall. While a challenger like the Nuggets, Jazz, or Rockets could break up the all-L.A. party, the Lakers and Clippers are on track to play on opposite sides of the West bracket in the postseason, putting them on a collision course to meet in the Western Finals.
Assuming the two L.A. teams do meet again in the playoffs and we haven’t seen the last of the LeBron James/Anthony Davis vs. Kawhi Leonard/Paul George showdowns of the 2019/20 season, we want to know what you expect to happen in a best-of-seven series between the Lakers and Clippers.
The Lakers had the last word on Thursday night, as a last-minute LeBron put-back proved to be the game-winner in a 103-101 victory. But the Clippers were missing key players like Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell. The Clips were +16 in minutes that Leonard played, and having second-unit standouts like Williams and Harrell available could have made those non-Kawhi minutes more manageable.
On the other hand, it’s not like we saw the Lakers at their best either. James and Davis combined to go 14-of-38 from the field, showing some rust after not playing real games in over four-and-a-half months. The club is also still experimenting with its summer rotation and will likely continue to do so until everyone – including the players who arrived in Orlando late – is up to full speed.
Another point worth considering: The Lakers have all but clinched the No. 1 seed, but their lack of home court advantage over the Clippers at Walt Disney World may be even more meaningful in an all-L.A. series than it would be in other series — if every game were played at Staples Center, the Lakers might end up with a de facto home court advantage for the entire series, as their fans often show up en masse at Clippers “home” games. That won’t happen on a neutral court in Orlando.
What do you think? After watching the Lakers and Clippers face each other four times this season, which team would you pick to win a seven-game postseason series? Do you fully expect the two L.A. teams to meet again in the playoffs, or will one of them falter before the Western Finals?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your thoughts!
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Are you really going to judge on first gm back. ????
Where was the box out on Bron. We all know Lakers were practicing thru lockdown. Stands to reason they are tighter. It will take till after 1st rd. For teams to get their real stride. The 1st rd IMO. Is where you can see an upset. Clippers are deepest team. It’s why I pick them to win it all.
clippers are gunna fail just like every time….
Clippers have the failure history but now they have a closer in Kawhi, they have a sidekick in Paul George and they’ve got GREAT defense.
LeBron is not really a closer he’s a facilitator. Anthony Davis will put up massive numbers but when it comes to close out in the last 90 seconds of a ball game I don’t think he’s as good as what the Clippers have. Just my opinion, just a simple survey, it’s going to be fun to watch. I really look forward to it. I love these kinds of Superstar matchups.
Lakers showed a lot last night but my vote is Clippers will be standing at the end.
no matter..still fail. #failureneverstops
Well thought out response
Clips win last night if mr selfish strip club 6th man is there….
They keep bringing up players that the Clippers didn’t have but don’t bring up key players the Lakers didn’t have. Don’t forget that AB isn’t there and Rondo’s hurt, each difference makers as well.
Harrell and Williams are going to play Avery Bradley isn’t and Rondo Is still 3-5 weeks away from returning
That’s totally irrelevant. Just like the other response says Bradley isn’t coming back and even if/when Rondo returns his impact will be minimal. In the other hand, getting both Harrell and Williams back makes a huge difference for the Clippers and their chances of advancing.
Absolutely garbage comparison man.
clippers are gunna fail just like every time…. just watch
Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are going to fail every time, we DID watch.
But Chris Paul has been shipped out of town and so has Blake Griffin. There’s a few new guys wearing the Clippers jerseys this year.
doc will never win with this roster.
Sorry, I’d didn’t know you advanced five years in the future to discover the Clippers’ inability to secure a championship ring. Until you come up with a logical argument for your assertion, your opinion is spineless. You can’t base modern day assessments on the legacy of a previous regime
look at the results. the clippers will never win. they’re cursed!!!
He’s got dodgers blues …. don’t mind him.
Clippers are deepest team in NBA. Fizdale could win with this roster .
LA finals should be a lot of fun. I’d pay to see that.
Has the “dodgers blues” Haha.
Clippers lost by two on a last second put back by LBJ, but more importantly were also missing their top two bench players who also happen to be their 3rd and 4th best scorers after PG and Kawhi.
Lakers won shooting like 35%. Besides PG13 the Clips played horribly.
Regardless of which team wins this poll, the other teams trailing in the standings thank the Lakers for winning last night!
Let’s go Clippers. I still think if Doc Rivers was healthy in 94 Finals the Knicks win that series in 6.
LAL all the way! LAC hasn’t got a chance, can’t really see them competing with DEN for the right to be in the WCF! Jokic is way too much for the Clips, simple as!
Clips have more talent, and more ways to beat people, but their casual approach to the regular season might be their undoing. LBJ and AD are far ahead of KL and PG13 in learning to play with each other and the team’s other key pieces. I still think the Clips can get there or close enough, but they have real work to do and not much time. No more chicken wings. They have to stop prioritizing rest and avoiding risk. Their key lineups need meaningful minutes together.
Great points !!
I’m telling you it’s depth. You will see it in playoffs. And Doc is a coach who uses his bench. AD is definitely a problem. But I believe in Clippers team D. That have vets who will commit to team defense. A coach who believes in it. Kuzma will have to have an awakening. And Howard will have play like a Magic. And JR and Waiters will have to play like seasoned vets. Only thing I can see is Howard showing up. JR n Waiters maybe 2 solid gms. Not enough Clippers in 6.
Clippers lose to Nuggets and never play the Lakers. Nuggets 2-1 against Clips to far.