Game Grades: Lakers Crushed By Spurs Despite New Lineup
By Jacob Rude
99. 29. 85. 20. Final
MVP: Welcome to the starting line-up, Jordan Clarkson. After fighting for minutes, the Lakers rookie guard was thrust into the spotlight, being handed the starting point guard spot hours before tip-off. He answered with 11 points and 4 assists in 29 minutes and was the most active Laker nearly the whole night.
LVP: Jeremy Lin. He looked invisible tonight. I can’t remember one play he made all night long.
Stat of the Night: 31-15. The score after the first quarter, in favor of the Spurs. This set the tone for the rest of the game.
The Starters
B. <strong>28 min, 5-12 FG, 1-3 3P, 0-0 FT, 11 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO</strong><p>Wayne Ellington was one of the few Lakers who played well tonight, despite his poor shooting percentage. </p>. SG. Los Angeles Lakers. WAYNE ELLINGTON
A. <strong> 23 min, 4-12 FG, 2-2 FT, 10 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO</strong><p>I’d imagine Jordan Hill will stay in the starting line-up until traded, which should be sooner rather than later without Kobe Bryant playing.</p>. C. Los Angeles Lakers. JORDAN HILL
Los Angeles Lakers. JORDAN CLARKSON. B+. <strong>29 min, 5-9 FG, 0-0 3P, 1-3 FT, 11 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>By far Clarkson’s best game this year. Let’s hope the extended minutes are here to stay.</p>. PG
C-. <strong>22 min, 2-4 FG, 0-0 3P, 3-4 FT, 7 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO</strong><p>At what point do we worry that Byron Scott is forcing Ryan Kelly into a role he isn’t comfortable with as the small forward?</p>. PF. Los Angeles Lakers. RYAN KELLY
C. Los Angeles Lakers. ROBERT SACRE. B+. <strong>26 min, 2-8 FG, 3-4 FT, 7 PTS, 7 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO</strong><p>The most head-scratching line-up move of them all, which most certainly signaled the tank is on.</p>
The Bench
Los Angeles Lakers. NICK YOUNG. A. <strong>20 min, 5-11 FG, 3-6 3P, 4-4 FT, 17 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>Nick Young easily could have been MVP tonight. The Lakers had a mini-run in the second half that he had a role in.</p>. SG
C+. <strong> 26 min, 2-8 FG, 1-2 3P, 1-2 FT, 6 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO</strong><p>This is a typical Wesley Johnson night, but for some reason, those are much easier to stomach off the bench.</p>. SF. Los Angeles Lakers. WESLEY JOHNSON
ED DAVIS. C+. <strong>22 min, 3-5 FG, 0-0 FT, 6 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO</strong><p>Ed Davis probably should have stayed in the starting lineup, but he also probably should work on his consistency, too.</p>. PF. Los Angeles Lakers
C. <strong>26 min, 5-10 FG, 0-0 FT, 10 PTS, 7 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO</strong><p>Typical Carlos Boozer night, which means at least one push-off foul.</p>. C. Los Angeles Lakers. CARLOS BOOZER
B-. <strong>19 min, 0-4 FG, 0-2 3P, 0-0 FT, 0 PTS, 1 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO</strong><p>Ronnie Price isn’t asked or looked upon to be a scorer, which is why you can’t count him off for not doing that. His six assists did help cut the lead in the second half.</p>. PG. Los Angeles Lakers. RONNIE PRICE