Street-weary and every hovering close to .500, the Lakers and Clippers arrive for his or her {meeting} Thursday at Crypto.com Area in a lot the identical place, searching for the identical aim — a victory that might result in any semblance of momentum.
With the NBA’s commerce deadline arriving in only one week and the postseason in 10, every franchise is firmly within the race for the play-in spherical, which pits the seventh by tenth seeds in a prelude to the playoffs.
Since main scorer Paul George suffered a torn ligament in his capturing elbow in late December, the Clippers (26-27) are 9-12 — and coming off a 4-4 journey — however three victories of their final three weeks have come whereas trailing by not less than 24 factors, the primary group in league historical past to try this.
The Lakers (24-27) couldn’t achieve floor within the Western Convention standings after a 2-4 street journey and will have their very own celebrity void after LeBron James missed Wednesday’s recreation towards Portland due to soreness in his left knee.
For groups whose seasons have seemed related in some ways, they’re most totally different of their efficiency within the final 5 minutes of video games inside 5 factors. The Clippers have outscored opponents by 16 factors per 100 possessions within the so-called “clutch” eventualities, whereas the Lakers have been outscored by two factors. It’s a topic the Lakers already know properly, after crisp execution led to 3 three-pointers by Luke Kennard and Marcus Morris Sr. to seal the Clippers’ 119-115 victory in these groups’ solely different {meeting} this season, on Dec. 3.
With Clippers beginning heart Ivica Zubac questionable due to a sore proper calf, backup Serge Ibaka might be in line for his second consecutive begin in what might be his final days with the group, given his expiring contract. Ibaka performed in solely 41 of the group’s 91 video games final season due to what the group mentioned was a damage again. After declaring himself wholesome in November, nonetheless, Ibaka couldn’t beat out Isaiah Hartenstein, who arrived to coaching camp and not using a assured contract, for the backup minutes. Ibaka has usually been the odd man out of the middle rotation when all three massive males have been wholesome.
All 15 of the Clippers’ roster spots are at the moment stuffed. If any emptiness is opened on the deadline, the Clippers may reward Amir Coffey’s resurgence with a regular NBA contract to carry onto the versatile younger participant longer.
The subtraction of George from coach Tyronn Lue’s rotation has led to the addition of Coffey, a two-way wing in his third season who didn’t play within the final recreation towards the Lakers, but has develop into impactful in each manner since, averaging 13.9 factors, with simply 0.7 turnovers per recreation, on practically 50% capturing. A profession 38% three-point shooter, he made 41.5% of his makes an attempt from distance in January.
UP NEXT
Vs. Lakers
When: 7 p.m., Thursday.
On the air: TV: TNT; Radio: 570, 710, 1220.
Replace: Clippers guard Jay Scrubb is not going to play due to turf toe, and rookie guard Keon Johnson stays on task within the G League.
— through www.latimes.com
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The Chenab Times News Desk