Los Angeles Lakers: 3 keys to defeating the LA Clippers on Sunday

1. Improve shot selection

In the two games that the Lakers have dropped to the Clippers this season, the Lakers have attempted 78 (!!!!!) 3-pointers.

That is difficult to wrap your head around.

The Clippers are making the Lakers play to their weaknesses and that has truly been the summary of the first two contests. The Lakers clear advantage belongs in the paint. Theoretically, nobody on the Clippers should be able to stop Anthony Davis or LeBron James going to the basket.

The Lakers’ stars, nonetheless, have struggled mightily from the field in both games. They have settled, too often, for jump shots and three-pointers. James and Davis, in fact, have shot 25 threes at a 16 percent clip in the previous two meetings.

Truthfully, when you look at the numbers, you’d assume that the Lakers lost by a wider margin in both games.

The Lakers need to rely on their inside scoring on Sunday. The most successful formula for the Lakers this season has been paint scoring and drive-and-kick three-pointers. Going away from your most successful formula when you play your toughest matchup is probably not the best idea, as we have seen.

If the Lakers are going to improve their offense against the Clippers, enough to go home Sunday as the winners, their success will begin with taking better shots and playing their game.