Lakers vs Clippers Preview: Feels Like Yesterday
For the second time in as many days, the Lakers will look for something positive to come from a matchup against the rival Clippers
The Los Angeles Lakers may have drawn a road-home back-to-back on the tail end of their schedule this season, but it’s really not too bad considering it’s against the Los Angeles Clippers. After playing as the away team on Tuesday night, the Lakers will now be the home team in STAPLES Center for Wednesday night’s contest.
On Tuesday night, the Lakers got run out of the gym by the Clippers in and embarrassing effort where Metta World Peace—of all people—was the only player who seemed ready to make anything happen for the Lakers.
That Metta is playing such a prominent role is largely contradictory to what everyone thought that the Lakers and head coach Byron Scott were going to do to end the year on a positive note.
More from Lake Show Life
- 2 Lakers who would benefit the most from a Kyrie Irving trade
- Victor Oladipo’s Russell Westbrook comments are terrible sign for Lakers
- 4 Free agent fits for the Lakers while they wait on Kyrie Irving
- 3 Most likely positions the Lakers will use for the last roster spot
- Kings signing castoffs from Lakers’ nightmare seasons is strange
News came out prior to tip-off on Tuesday that both Lou Williams and Brandon Bass would be shut down fro the remainder of the season. This was seemingly in another effort to get the young players like D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson,, and Julius Randle more time on the floor. However, when Scott starts playing Metta World Peace (albeit with Clarkson banged up a bit) that really negates the entire point of what the team is doing.
Other than everyone being acutely aware that this is Kobe Bryant’s final game (though it all feels like one big game melding together at this point) against the Clippers and that he only has five left including Wednesday night, this team is sadly directionless right now with no signs of remedying that issue before the season’s up. Even more unfortunately, trying to make a quick turnaround against a far superior Clippers team now integrating Blake Griffin back into the fold isn’t the kindest matchup for the Lakers, either.
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
Date: Wednesday, April 6
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. PT
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Arena: STAPLES Center
TV Info: TWC Sportsnet
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: 710 AM, ESPN
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Clippers -9
Moneyline: Clippers -480, Lakers +390
O/U: 203
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Bass—Out, Anthony Brown (foot)—Out, Kobe Bryant (shoulders)—Questionable, Jordan Clarkson (leg)—Probable, Larry Nance Jr. (knee)–Probable
Los Angeles Clippers: Paul Pierce (ankle/knee)—Questionable
Next: Kobe Ends Nuanced Rivalry With Clippers
Prediction
Maybe the Lakers can keep it a bit closer, but don’t expect much on Wednesday night. It should be more despair on the horizon for the Purple and Gold.