Lakers vs Clippers Preview: Little Brother Has Grown
The Lakers and Clippers prepare for an inner-city battle on Christmas Day
It’s Christmas Day, the time when family and friends get together to celebrate the holiday season, exchange gifts, and inevitably get into squabbles with one another. The Los Angeles Lakers can surely relate as they will be in the same building as their proverbial little brother on Friday, the Los Angeles Clippers.
The thing about little brothers, though, is that they sometimes grow bigger than the older brother. That’s certainly the case with the Lakers and the Clippers as the Lakers have been forced into a reluctant rebuild while the Clippers have been trying to build towards a championship run. The traditional dynamics have certainly changed in the LA rivalry.
Not that it matters in the slightest, but the Lakers will be the home team in this matchup on Christmas Day, which will also be the final time Lakers fans will see Kobe Bryant in a holiday matchup. In a season of lasts for Kobe, this one hits home in a big way. Lakers fans will surely want to see Bean treat the Clippers like the little brother one last time.
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That’s going to be a task that’s easier said than done, though, considering that “little brother” still boasts the likes of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. However, you still can’t rule out Bryant turning back the clock and delivering one final vintage Mamba performance for Christmas.
Even if the Black Mamba dons his Santa cap on Christmas Day, though, it still might not be enough to carry the Lakers to victory. With how the likes of Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson struggle defensively, Paul and J.J. Redick could have big days offensively. Moreover, Blake should have a field day against either Larry Nance Jr. or Julius Randle.
With all of this in mind, this will be an emotional day in Laker-land as its Kobe’s last game on Christmas. All that remains to be seen is whether it will be a moment to remember or another forgettable moment in the 2015-16 Lakers season.
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
Date: Friday, Dec. 25
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Arena: STAPLES Center
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Here
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Clippers -13
Moneyline: Clippers -1200, Lakers +825
O/U: 207
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle (ankle)—Day-to-Day
Los Angeles Clippers: Austin Rivers (ankle)—Doubtful
Next: 2015 NBA Christmas Jersey Power Rankings
Prediction
Forget logic. Forget talent. Give me a vintage Kobe Bryant performance and give the Lakers the win.
113. 20. 105. 77. Final
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