Here is a by-the-numbers look at the Lakers’ 105-100 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
1
The Lakers’ deficit with 4:59 left in the game. The purple and gold used a 14-6 run to cut the Clippers’ lead down to 89-88, but that was as close as they would get. The Clippers immediately responded by scoring eight unanswered points. From there, it was a free throw fest as they never surrendered that lead.
11
Fast-break points scored by the Lakers. The Clippers’ success in transition was one of the key factors in their victory, as they outscored the Lakers by 16 points on fast-breaks. The Clippers also had 15 fast-break shots, while the Lakers took just six.
26.3
Percentage shot by the Lakers in the second quarter. After keeping within two points in the first period, the Lakers were outscored 27-18 in the second. This stemmed from a 5-for-19 mark from the field, which included misses on all three of their 3-pointers. On the other end, the Clippers shot 9-for-18 to begin pulling away.
27
Points scored by both Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick. The duo combined for more than half of the Clippers points, as Griffin shot 11-for-20, while Redick went 9-for-14. Griffin pieced together a strong all-around performance by adding seven rebounds and six assists. Redick, meanwhile, jumpstarted the Clippers’ offense by providing 14 of their 23 first-quarter points.
“When the ball is moving, J.J. gets shots,” Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said. “There is no doubt. When it is not moving, he does not get shots. I think what our guys are doing every night … (is) when he gets it going, then they make sure he gets shots. They do that through ball movement, and I was really happy to see it.”
61
Points scored by the Lakers in the second half. Coming out of the locker room down by 11, the Lakers managed to outscore their opponents by six over the final two quarters. Over this stretch, the Lakers’ shooting started to spark, as they went 21-for-38 (55.3 percent) from the field and 7-for-12 (58.3 percent) on 3-pointers. Wesley Johnson led the charge by tallying 13 of his 15 points in the second half, while Jordan Clarkson pitched in half of his team-best 20 points.
Lakers Shot Chart (Second Half)
“They are heading back to the playoffs this season,” Clarkson said. “I just tried to play more aggressive this game. Chris (Paul) is probably the best point guard in the game right now. He, Russell (Westbrook) and Steph Curry are all up there. It’s always a good test to compete with the best.”