Here is a by-the-numbers look at the Lakers’ 114-89 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
4
Points scored by Kobe Bryant. The 19-year veteran could not find his shot, as he finished 2-for-12 from the field did not attempt a free throw for the first time this season. Bryant, whose point total set a new season low, also tied his career low in scoring against the Clippers, which he set as a rookie on Nov. 15, 1996. Though Bryant struggled with his shot, he did pitch in eight rebounds and seven assists, albeit with six turnovers.
Kobe Bryant Shot Chart
“The game just got away from us,” Bryant said. “When the game gets away from us, you just try to rush things, change momentum, trying to get us back in a little bit. I did not play any differently than I normally play. In the second half we just wound up trying to rush things, and the game got away from us.”
6
Turnovers committed by the Clippers, which were a new season low. The Lakers’ STAPLES Center co-tenants only had two giveaways after the first half, by which time they had already established a 70-48 lead. Chris Paul led the way for the Clippers, turning the ball over just once on 51 passes, while dishing out 11 assists, four secondary assists and two free throw assists. In total, the Clippers committed a turnover on just 2.2 percent of their 277 passes.
14
Points scored by Jordan Clarkson, who led all Lakers. The rookie also surpassed his previous career high of 10 points by shooting 6-for-10 agains the Clippers. However, Clarkson’s performance was one of the few bright spots for the Lakers, as the team shot 26-for-65 (40.0 percent) through three quarters, before both teams puled the majority of their starters.
”I thought we came out soft,” head coach Byron Scott said. “I am pretty surprised — surprised and disappointed. I would not say it is the most disappointing, but it is very disappointing.”
37
The Clippers’ biggest lead, which they reached with 1:44 left in the third quarter. The Clippers controlled the entirety of that third period, outscoring the Lakers 29-15 and shooting 11-for-14 at the free throw line. Blake Griffin had 11 of his game-high 27 points during this frame, and he nearly reached a triple-double by grabbing nine rebounds and handing out eight assists before sitting the whole fourth quarter.
“Blake was unbelievable from the outset,” Paul said. “Obviously guys who come watch us every night know how great of a passer he is, but early on we were getting so many open shots because Blake was finding them. In transition, when guys tried to cut him off, he kept finding Matt (Barnes). He found me for my first two 3’s, and that just opened up the court for everybody else.”
58.8
Percentage shot by the Lakers at the free throw line. On a night when little when right for the Lakers, they struggled to even hit their free throws, going 10-for-17 and missing as many foul shots as their past two games combined (42-for-49; 85.7 percent), despite taking 32 fewer attempts. No one player was the main culprit, as two Lakers made all their free throws, while three missed one and two missed two.