Clippers Rout Lakers 118-94, Move Into No. 3 Spot in West
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Paul George led seven players in double figures with 24 points and the Los Angeles Clippers routed a Lakers team minus LeBron James 118-94 on Thursday night, moving into the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference playoff race.
The loss kept the defending NBA champion Lakers at No. 6. The Staples Center co-tenants could potentially face each other in the first round.
The Lakers have lost four of five, with six games remaining in the regular season. The only thing they’ve clinched so far is a spot in the new play-in tournament, which James has derided. Still dealing with a high ankle sprain, he will be out again Friday night for a pivotal game at Portland. That season series is tied at one.
Davis was limited to four points on 2-of-9 shooting in nine minutes. He said he tweaked his ankle after stepping awkwardly on the scorer’s table in the first. He fell, but got up and stayed in the game. He was later ruled out due to back spasms.
Kawhi Leonard had 15 points, eight rebounds and six asssists, and Ivica Zubac added 14 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers, who have already clinched a playoff berth. They’ve won two straight after dropping three in a row, and are a half-game ahead of fourth-place Denver in the standings.
Kyle Kuzma led the injury-plagued Lakers with 25 points.
Davis’ latest setback comes after he already lost two months recovering from a calf injury.
The Clippers shot 63% in the first half, when they led by 24 points. The Lakers’ only lead came when Davis scored the game’s first basket.
The Lakers got within four early in the second quarter, but the Clippers responded by scoring 11 straight to restore a double-digit lead that stretched to 65-42 at halftime. DeMarcus Cousins had nine of his 11 points in the second, hitting a 3-pointer and getting a steal and dunk as part of an 8-0 spurt.
The Lakers outscored the Clippers 29-27 in the third, but couldn’t make a serious dent in the deficit. Kuzma’s 3-pointer drew them within 17 early in the period, when Andre Drummond picked up his fourth and fifth fouls.
Kuzma played part of fourth with the Lakers’ second unit, which scored all of the team’s 23 points in the period.
The Clippers were better on the boards (47-34) and at the free throw line, making 23 of 26. The Lakers hit 18 of 29.
The loss kept the defending NBA champion Lakers at No. 6. The Staples Center co-tenants could potentially face each other in the first round.
The Lakers have lost four of five, with six games remaining in the regular season. The only thing they’ve clinched so far is a spot in the new play-in tournament, which James has derided. Still dealing with a high ankle sprain, he will be out again Friday night for a pivotal game at Portland. That season series is tied at one.
Davis was limited to four points on 2-of-9 shooting in nine minutes. He said he tweaked his ankle after stepping awkwardly on the scorer’s table in the first. He fell, but got up and stayed in the game. He was later ruled out due to back spasms.
Kawhi Leonard had 15 points, eight rebounds and six asssists, and Ivica Zubac added 14 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers, who have already clinched a playoff berth. They’ve won two straight after dropping three in a row, and are a half-game ahead of fourth-place Denver in the standings.
Kyle Kuzma led the injury-plagued Lakers with 25 points.
Davis’ latest setback comes after he already lost two months recovering from a calf injury.
The Clippers shot 63% in the first half, when they led by 24 points. The Lakers’ only lead came when Davis scored the game’s first basket.
The Lakers got within four early in the second quarter, but the Clippers responded by scoring 11 straight to restore a double-digit lead that stretched to 65-42 at halftime. DeMarcus Cousins had nine of his 11 points in the second, hitting a 3-pointer and getting a steal and dunk as part of an 8-0 spurt.
The Lakers outscored the Clippers 29-27 in the third, but couldn’t make a serious dent in the deficit. Kuzma’s 3-pointer drew them within 17 early in the period, when Andre Drummond picked up his fourth and fifth fouls.
Kuzma played part of fourth with the Lakers’ second unit, which scored all of the team’s 23 points in the period.
The Clippers were better on the boards (47-34) and at the free throw line, making 23 of 26. The Lakers hit 18 of 29.