George Harris
Jan 24, 2024 - 10:10

Lakers vs Clippers Preview: Seeking Third Win Over LA Rival without LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for a third straight win against the Clippers, but will be without LeBron James.

The Los Angeles Lakers have finally broken their losing streak against the Los Angeles Clippers, winning back-to-back games this season. Now, they are aiming for a third straight win, but they face the challenge of playing without LeBron James.

The pressure is on Anthony Davis to lead the Lakers, especially against a Clippers team that has been performing exceptionally well in recent games. The Lakers have also had their ups and downs, but they have managed to secure three wins in their last four games.

Davis will need to deliver one of his best performances of the season to overcome the Clippers, especially with Clippers center Ivica Zubac out due to injury. This presents an opportunity for Davis to dominate the paint, especially considering the Clippers' reliance on smaller lineups.

With the potential for double-teams, Davis' improved passing skills will come into play, with D'Angelo Russell being a key target. Russell has been on fire in the last five games, averaging 27.2 points and 6.4 assists, making him a crucial player for the Lakers in LeBron's absence.

The Lakers will also need contributions from other players, such as Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Cam Reddish, Max Christie, and Christian Wood, to make up for LeBron's absence on the offensive end. Defensively, the Lakers will need to be at their best to contain the explosive Clippers offense, especially their 3-point shooting, which has been a challenge for the Lakers all season.

The Clippers have an arsenal of weapons, including Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Norman Powell, making it essential for the Lakers to put together a collective effort on both ends of the floor. The team's ability to contain the Clippers' shooting will be crucial to their chances of victory.

In conclusion, the Lakers will need to bring their A-game and work as a cohesive unit to secure a win against the motivated Clippers. It will be a challenging matchup, but if the Lakers can execute their game plan effectively, they have a chance of coming out on top.