The Los Angeles Lakers were able to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers. Here are three takeaways from the win.
Alex Caruso of the Los Angeles Lakers have shown this season that anything is possible. I remember Kevin Garnett screaming that after the Boston Celtics beat the Lakers in the NBA Finals back in 2008. But to follow this team for a full year brings a whole new meaning to that phrase. Injuries, fighting, dysfunction and a complete beat down from the Golden State Warriors should have told anyone that the Lakers had no chance to beat the Clippers on Friday night.
The Los Angeles Clippers are battling for playoff position next week. On the other end of the hall the Los Angeles Lakers are scheduling exit interviews. The Clippers will be laying out uniforms in lockers. The Lakers will be cleaning out their lockers, some will be doing it for the last time. The Clippers had won 24 of the last 27 matchups between the two teams. No LeBron, no Kuzma, I mean you get the idea. Based on that logic there is absolutely no way the Los Angeles Lakers win this game right?
Umm…well that’s why they play the games on the schedule.
The South Bay…I mean the Los Angeles Lakers played spoiler to the Los Angeles Clippers 122-117. This is a major upset based on the circumstances. The Clippers can say they overlooked the Lakers in a meaningless game. Yeah right.
Even with the victory there will be drama for real Lakers fans to ponder and Lakers casuals to complain about. Since the Minnesota Timberwolves won their game, both teams are tied in the loss column which affects draft position in this upcoming draft.
The positions theoretically that are being looked at are the 10th and 11th spots. If the Lakers finish with a better record (They must finish at least tied thanks to Minnesota winning the season series…) than the Timberwolves they will receive the 11th pick unless something happens with the ping pong balls which will really set off conspiracy theories.
If you are Luke Walton, you have a game to put on your resume because he gave major minutes to three members of the Los Angeles…I mean the South Bay Lakers G-League team and out-coached Doc Rivers, who the Lakers wanted to replace him in the first place. He inspired a team that bullied Ivica Zubac at times to make the trade almost justifiable. Overall he reminded teams that will be searching for coaches this summer that he is a viable candidate.
Lets talk about a player that will definitely be on the roster next year…