The Lakers and Clippers meet in a Sunday matinee at Staples Center. There is plenty on the line for both teams as the Clippers will clinch their first ever Pacific Division title with a victory and the Lakers need to solidify their playoff position.
With a victory the Clippers will also sweep the season series for the first time ever.
Let’s get to the highlights.
LAL open the game offensively with back-to-back 3’s, from Meeks and Blake, then Howard’s 2 to allow an 8-1 early lead.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 7, 2013
Steve Blake has done a really nice job on CP3 early, making him give the ball up, & now has 5 points after his 2nd J to put LAL up 15-9.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 7, 2013
Earl Clark Absurdity Month continues. Clark sinks his first shot attempt, a three, and the Lakers lead 18-14.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 7, 2013
Lakers down 30-25 at the end of the first quarter
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 7, 2013
Clippers leading the Lakers 36-30 midway through the second quarter. Things starting to slip a little bit for LAL. Have to regain composure.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 7, 2013
Dwight gets the layup to go as he’s being ripped down by Jordan. He makes the FT (4/6) to complete the And-1. Lakers down 41-37. #GoLakers
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 7, 2013
Kobe hits Dwight for Lakers’ first transition points of the game. Kobe has nine assists in 21 minutes. … LAC 47, LAL 45.
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) April 7, 2013
Halftime: Clippers 56, Lakers 49. Matt Barnes and Jamal Crawford combine for 23 points off the bench.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) April 7, 2013
Clippers with the largest lead of the game at 14….timeout, Lakers.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) April 7, 2013
Howard absolutely stuffed Butler as he drove into the lane
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 7, 2013
CP3 knocks one down at the buzzer, and Lakers down 12 at the end of the 3rd, 82-70.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) April 7, 2013
Second game in a row Earl Clark has had a big block, but the Lakers can’t convert it into points. Trail 86-72 with 9:17 to play.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 7, 2013
Great pass inside to Clark and phenomenal finish by Earl Clark for the and-1, Lakers finally cut this to a single digit deficit
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) April 7, 2013
Nice pass from Pau to Dwight for the stuff. Howard has 23 points but it certainly hasn’t felt like he’s dominating on offense.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 7, 2013
In honor of Wrestlemania tonight the Clippers are beating the Lakers over the head with a steel chair.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 7, 2013
Difference today, more than anything, has come on the glass: LAC up 45-32, including 15-8 on offense. Has killed LAL.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 7, 2013
Kobe could play all 48 minutes of regulation game for first time in six years, but it’s meaningless now: LAC 108, LAL 92 with 1:20 left.
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) April 7, 2013
Next up for Lakers is back-to-back Tuesday vs. Hornets and Wednesday at Portland.
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) April 7, 2013
Clippers clinch Pacific Division. Lakers fall to 9th in the West. That’s the state of basketball in L.A. these days.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) April 7, 2013