The Lakers took on the Los Angeles Clippers in a nationally televised game Sunday afternoon. The last time these two teams met, the Lakers were blown out by 48 points. The Lakers were hoping Sunday’s game would provide a better result. The first two quarters were closely contested, but the Clippers took control after halftime. Injuries continued to derail the Lakers as Kent Bazemore and Nick Young both hurt themselves during the game. The Clippers shot 56.6 percent from the field and scored 27 fast break points on their way to a 120-97 win.
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First Quarter
Jordan Hill scored the first four points for the Lakers who allowed the Clippers to score nine in the first three minutes. The only other Laker to score midway through the quarter was Kent Bazemore on a driving layup. The Lakers came within one before two turnovers led to quick Clipper baskets to bring the score to 17-12. A trio of Nick Young free throws tied the game at 20 apiece, but the Lakers would end the quarter down 25-22.
Second Quarter
Nick Young continued to score at will and drained five quick points as the Lakers took a quick 27-25 lead. Despite cooling off a little bit, the Lakers were aided by Clipper turnovers and were behind 37-40 midway through the quarter. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin responded by quickly extending the Clipper lead to 48-39. The Lakers would fall behind by as much as 13 and trailed the Clippers by a score of 57-49 at the half.
Third Quarter
The Lakers got off to a poor start with two quick turnovers and saw the Clippers stretch their lead to 16. Quick transition baskets by Hill and Jodie Meeks provided a small Laker run. Paul hit two triples within a minute of each other to give the Clippers an 81-63 lead midway through the quarter. The rest of the quarter continued to go the Clippers’ way. Nick Young banged knees with Glen Davis in the final minute, and the Lakers entered the last quarter behind 94-72.
Fourth Quarter
Young returned to the game with 8:53 remaining and missed his first field goal of the quarter. The Clippers remained in control keeping their lead around twenty even as Doc Rivers went with his reserves. Although the Lakers continued to fight, the deficit proved to be too much for them. The game ended with the Lakers receiving their 52nd loss of the season, 120-97.
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