The Los Angeles Lakers are in the middle of a cold snap that they simply aren’t used to over the last few seasons. With LeBron James on the mend and Anthony Davis working his way back from injury, the Los Angeles Clippers have leaped ahead, creating a sizeable gap between the two teams.
The Clippers have all but assuredly wrapped up a top-four seed in the postseason, while the Lakers are doing everything that they can to avoid the randomness of the play-in tournament. Luckily, they have a chance to set the record straight with their rivals in tonight’s contest.
The Clippers lost three straight games prior to their win against the Toronto Raptors, and that win only came about because the likes of OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher, and Gary Trent Jr. were all unavailable due to injury. The Lakers might be playing without James, but this game is unequivocally a must-win contest.
If the Lakers can’t take down the Clippers when their momentum is completely in the gutter, a potential playoff matchup, with or without James, will likely favor the squad in red, white, and blue instead of purple and gold.
Frank Vogel said LeBron James will be out for the Clippers game, and will be listed as day-to-day after that.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) May 5, 2021
The Los Angeles Lakers need to take down the Clippers
Only a half-game separates the No. 5 seed Dallas Mavericks and No. 7 seed Portland Trail Blazers, who are currently in line for a spot in the play-in tournament. Given how James has already expressed his disgust with the play-in format, the Lakers clearly want to do everything to avoid this sideshow.
The Lakers are currently scheduled to take on the Denver Nuggets in the postseason, which should be an issue considering that Montrezl Harrell and Andre Drummond will have to stop Nikola Jokic. The Lakers aren’t very well-equipped to take on the Clippers, but they can at least hang with them given their perimeter defense.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard will get there points, but the Clippers have shown in the past that even despite Frank Vogel’s best efforts, a hot night of shooting will be enough to bury the Lakers. This is when the Clippers are finally started to leak some blood into the water, and this team has to pounce on this.
LA went from a title favorite to a complete dumpster fire in a matter of a few weeks, and they risk seeing their chances of truly contending for a second straight championship slip through their grasp. Seeing those chances turn to ash in their own building at the hands of their hated rival would only make things worse.
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