Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
If the Lakers were trying to show the hoops world that they’re finally ready to take the next step then all they did tonight was take another step back just like they did a week ago in Boston. The Clippers officially own Los Angeles for the 2012-13 season and it’s looking like curtains for the Lake Show. This was a 125-101 laugher in which the Purple and Gold were the punch line for every joke.
The game was all but over as soon as it started.
Blake Griffin personally outscored the Lakers 10-0 from the jump. From there it was downhill.
Kobe Bryant tried to put his 4-point performance behind him by putting his team on his back. 20 points, 11 boards and 6 dimes just weren’t enough though. Not when the Clippers were shooting lights out.
Sure, the Lakers teased the Staples crowd by getting to within three in the second. But as you’d expect from a Mike D’Antoni team the defense never showed up and the Clippers put together a run to end the half that pretty much ended the game.
The Clippers’ starting five all hit double digits. CP3 led the way with 24 and 13 dimes while Mr. Big Shot and Blake Show scored 21 and 22 respectively.
The Laker got 18 from Dwight Howard and 17 more from Antawn Jamison who is really producing in his sixth man role.
But there was nothing to write home about for this lackluster effort. In fact it looked like the Lakers were eager to get home and start their long weekend.
So to honor the team I’m going to knock off early too. See you on the flip side.