Los Angeles Lakers: 3 keys to beating the Clippers on Christmas Day

1.) Get the ball out Kawhi’s hands

Kawhi Leonard is by far the Clipper’s most lethal scorer, especially in the fourth quarter. His ability to get to his spots with ease and patience, coupled with his smooth jumper makes him one of the best isolation scorers in the game.

When it comes to defending Kawhi, the Lakers need to take an aggressive approach and do everything they can to get the ball out of his hands. This means aggressively sending the double team whenever possible, and trapping him in the corners. Anything that ensures someone else on the Clippers is taking the shot should be considered a win for the Lakers.

For everything Kawhi does great, the one thing he has struggled with since his time in San Antonio is passing out of the double team. He has gotten better at this as the season has gone along with the Clippers, but it’s still the weakest part of his game.

The Lakers have smart perimeter defenders, especially Danny Green, who has played with Kawhi basically his entire career, and as a result, should know a thing or two about defending the two-time Finals MVP.