The Clippers kept the inside track on the fifth seed in the West, but they had to rally past a depleted Trail Blazers team on Saturday, writes Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times. Coach Tyronn Lue admits there was “a lot of cussing” in his halftime speech as L.A. entered the locker room trailing by six after surrendering 70 first half points to a Portland squad that was missing most of its rotation players.
“We gotta be more professional with our approach, and we all realized that wasn’t our greatest first half,” Lue said. “We didn’t play the right way and we just can’t do that. And so they understood; that’s why they came out in the third quarter and played the way they did.”
The Clippers have control over their playoff destiny and can wrap up the No. 5 slot by beating Phoenix on Sunday. However, that would guarantee a first-round series against the Suns, who are undefeated with Kevin Durant in the lineup. Losing to Phoenix would carry an element of risk, as L.A. could still fall into the play-in tournament. Lue assured reporters that his plan is to play to win.
“I mean if you don’t treat the game right, basketball gods will make you pay for it,” Lue said.
There’s more from Los Angeles:
- Paul George is working out again, but he doesn’t appear close to returning from the sprained right knee that has sidelined him since March 21, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. Clippers officials said George didn’t suffer any damage to significant ligaments, but he had to keep the knee immobilized for a long time to promote healing.
- In Friday’s win over Phoenix, the Lakers‘ reserves showed they can carry the team if LeBron James and Anthony Davis are having off nights, per Elliott Teaford of The Orange County Register. D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Malik Beasley combined for 67 points as L.A. displayed depth that it didn’t have before the trade deadline and kept its hopes alive for a top-six finish. “It’s huge for those guys to be able to carry the load and make some shots and have their own different segments during the game,” coach Darvin Ham said. “Huge, man. The more pressure we can take off Bron and AD to have to go out and save the day or make every play, the better. When they can just play manageable minutes and those other guys step up and play well, it just makes us that much more dangerous. And it saves some gas for our two big dogs.”
- The Lakers still have an open roster spot, and Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report expects them to fill it Sunday, likely with a multiyear contract that is non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed for next season (Twitter link).
ESPN Perkins predict the Lakers to win the West
We know that LeBron and Davis are not that good
It means to me that Lakers supporting casts are the best
Guards
Reaves is unstoppable, a top tier foul seller
DLo and Beasley are top tier shooters
So why did Kendrick Perkins pick the Lakers to win the Western Conference?
If LeBron and Davis were good, they would not win 33 games last year and would not be sticky with the 13th seed all season long this year.
For half of this season, and all of last, the Lakers had no depth because of the Westbrook trade. I don’t think they’re legitimate title threats, but I don’t think you can in any way comp the roster, as it’s currently constructed, to what they opened the year with. It’s a better team. I think they’ll win some playoff games, and possibly even a series, with this group if they get the right match up.
Perkins isn’t very good at his job, so I think you can safely ignore.
I agree, but I also feel like these analysts are too quick to make huge claims these days. I don’t know if this has always been the case and I’ve only noticed it the past few years.
Lakers are my team, but they win a few games on an easy schedule and they are suddenly title favorites? I’m a fan, but I’m not delusional. They should have crushed that 2nd half schedule if they were title favorites.
I want them matched up with the Kings. If they don’t play defense the Kings will blow them out every game and sweep. It’ll be good for the rivalry too.
ESPN reports that Luka could demand trade in 2023
Trade idea
Mavs trade Luka to Lakers
Why?
Luka and Lakers sound similar
Lakers should rest lebron for their last game. He looked so terrible in the last 2 games he played
He has been resting on defense on Every play for years . Standing at half court smh. The goat lol
Melo
Does Lue’s comment apply to Dallas, too? Will the “basketball gods” make them pay for not treating the game right? Will one of the play-in games’ losers win a top 4 pick so the Mavs are pushed to #11 and have to give their pick to the Knicks?
Have to admit Lakers did all right. I didn’t think they had it in them. Especially with all the injuries that were popping up. Props to LA
They are the 7th seed. If they win today and Warriors lose. Lakers have the tie breaker over Warriors and Pelicans. Means they can still finish 6th. And avoid the play-in. That would be remarkable in my eyes.