Here is what you need to know before the Lakers’ matinee against the LA Clippers.
1)
The Lakers are looking for a repeat of one of their most complete games this season. The purple and gold beat the Clippers on Christmas Night, 111-102, ending an 11-game losing streak against their neighbors. Seven Lakers scored in double figures that game while Nick Young and Timofey Mozgov led with 19 points apiece.
2)
Certainly, the Lakers will be hoping to avoid an outing like they had in their last game when they lost by 40 in Thursday’s visit to San Antonio. While the Spurs — owners of the league’s second-best record — played near-flawlessly, Los Angeles could have done more than allow 134 points on 60.5 percent shooting.
3)
L.A. has been careful not to give away possessions lately, committing a league-low 10.1 turnovers over its last seven games. During this period, the Lakers have won the giveaway battle in all but one contest.
4)
For just the third time in Staples Center’s 17-year history, all three of its tenants — the Lakers, Clippers and NHL’s Kings — will play in the arena on the same day. The Kings will take on the Winnipeg Jets at 7 p.m. PT, as the conversion crew takes one hour and 50 minutes to change from basketball to hockey.
5)
The Clippers have been one of the NBA’s hottest teams recently, winning five straight games to start the 2017 calendar year. They have put this run together through defense, leading the league in opponent field goal percentage (40.4) and 3-point percentage (27.6) during this stretch, while only allowing 96.8 points per game.
6)
This streak has been a stark contrast to how the Clippers were initially playing with leading scorer Blake Griffin (21.2 ppg) out due to knee surgery. They had lost their previous six games in a row, including the Christmas clash with the Lakers.
7)
The Clippers will take the floor this time with one of the league’s brightest stars in tow, as Chris Paul has been excellent in three games back from injury. Paul — who missed the first game against the Lakers this season — leads the NBA in steals (2.29) while ranking fourth in assists (9.7) and averaging 17.7 points.
8)
Reigning First Team All-NBA center DeAndre Jordan has also been dominating the glass lately, averaging 17.4 rebounds over his last five games, wth three contests of at least 20 boards. Jordan has certainly put up numbers this year, leading the NBA in field goal percentage (66.9) and dunks (119) while ranking second in rebounds (13.7) and 10th in blocks (1.76).
9)
Sharpshooter J.J. Redick has been the Clippers’ go-to scorer over their past five games, across which he is averaging 21.4 points and 3.4 3-pointers. He had torched the Lakers for 22 points on Christmas before having to leave the game early in the third quarter due to injury.
10)
Redick has some history with Luol Deng, as the two were teammates on the Duke team that made it to the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four 13 years ago. Redick led the Blue Devils in scoring with 15.9 points per game, while Deng was second with 15.1.
Injury Report
Lakers: D’Angelo Russell (sore left knee), Julius Randle (sprained left ring finger), Brandon Ingram (left wrist sprain) and Tarik Black (sore right ankle) are probable. Marcelo Huertas (flu-like symptoms) is questionable. Larry Nance Jr. (bone bruise, left knee) is out.
Clippers: Blake Griffin (right knee procedure) and Brice Johnson (acute herniated disc, lower back) are out.
Tip-Off: 12:30 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes
Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW