INGLEWOOD — Three days after losing one of their best players in a trade, the Lakers played as though nothing had changed.
They played as though they didn’t miss 10-time big man All-Star Anthony Davis, who was sent to the Dallas Mavericks as part of the stunning trade that brought Luka Doncic to the Lakers. They played as though they didn’t lose two starters in what some have deemed the biggest trade in NBA history.
Instead, the Lakers looked like a team confident in moving forward without Davis and guard Max Christie, who was included in the trade for Doncic, and ran over the Clippers, 122-97, on Tuesday night in the latest edition of their crosstown rivalry at the Intuit Dome.
The Lakers played their first game since Saturday night’s trade as if they had something to prove not only to themselves but the rest of the league. While Davis’ presence will be missed, the Lakers can still dominate teams and they fought and worked on defense in a way they will likely have to without him.
The Clippers (28-22) found that out the hard way.
With Doncic watching approvingly from the bench, LeBron James had a game-high 26 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to lead the Lakers (29-19) their seventh victory in their past eight games. James and Doncic, who is close to a return from a strained calf that has sidelined him since late December, sat next to each other and talked and laughed at times.
Forward Rui Hachimura picked up the scoring slack left by Davis, posting 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting (four 3-pointers) and grabbing six rebounds. Point guard Austin Reaves added 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including three 3-pointers.
The Clippers’ second-ranked defense was helpless against the Lakers’ attack, especially inside, where they scored 46 points.
And the Clippers’ offense wasn’t any better. The Lakers outshot their regional rivals 54.9% to 37.8% and shot 48.6% from 3-point range (18 for 37).
Speaking before the game, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said he thought…
Read the full article here
