Battle of Los Angeles – Act III by Jeff Little

It’s April 4, 2012 and the (34-20) Los Angeles Lakers face the (32-21) Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center in the 55th game of the year. Last night against the New Jersey Nets, Lakers’ power forward Pau Gasol (22 points and 12 rebounds) and point guard Ramon  Sessions (19 points and 11 assists) posted double-doubles. Shooting guard Kobe Bryant scored 24 points and his three-point shot at the end of the game saved the Lakers from a bad loss after the purple and gold clad team lost a 17-point lead.

The Lakers are riding a three-game winning streak. Not to be out-done, the Clippers are enjoying a six-game winning streak, their longest since 1992. The latter is also in the midst of their best 53-game start since arriving in Los Angeles in 1984.

The winner of tonight’s game will not only be able to extend their winning streak, but also win the season series. The Lakers have split the first two games of their three-game season series after taking last season’s series 3-1. The Lakers lead the all-time series 142-49, (96-49 as the L.A. Clippers) and have lost just two season’s series in franchise history (1974-1975 & 1992-1993) to their city rivals.

The Lakers are 6-4 in the last 10 games overall against the Clippers and are 21-4 all-time against them in home games at the Staples Center. The Lakers are 9-1 in their last 10 home contests and are winners of their last nine straight. On the road against the Clippers, the Lakers are 5-5 in their last 10 games. The irony is that, although in their own building, the Lakers are technically playing a road game tonight.

More than likely, the Lakers will have to face the Clippers without the services of center Andrew Bynum, whose participation will be a game-time decision. It is imperative that everyone in a purple and gold jersey step their game up and do a little bit more in Bynum’s absence. The team has developed a pattern of lethargic play that they need to shake. Understandably, this cannot be done overnight but the the team needs to develop a killer instinct, the ability to close out an opponent and maintain leads – before the playoffs start.

The Lakers have only played a full 48-minute game a few times this season. On several occasions they have played well enough to acquire a lead by doing a solid job of moving the basketball, moving bodies and playing inside out. Unfortunately, the moment they have a lead, they seem to relax. They stop moving the ball to find the high percentage shot, stop going into the post and start settling for jump shots.

This team needs to solidly defend the pick-and-roll play, stop the dribble penetration of the guards, control the tempo, get back in transition, rebound and quickly rotate out to open shooters. Tonight’s game gives head coach Mike Brown the perfect opportunity to provide playing time to rookie guards Andrew Goudelock and Darius Morris; second-year guard Devin Ebanks and center Jordan Hill. Without their starting center (Bynum), the Lakers will need a strong contribution from their reserves who, by the way, scored 14 points last night against the Nets. Playing the above-mentioned group – which has been a healthy DNP – could increase the bench total.

 Lakers: R. Sessions, K. Bryant, M. Peace, J. McRoberts, P. Gasol
Clippers: C. Paul, R. Foye, C. Butler, B. Griffin, D. Jordan

Tip-off: 7:30 PM PST

Television –

• Los Angeles: KCAL 9 (Bill Macdonald & Stu Lantz) & ESPN
• Los Angeles: Prime Ticket (Ralph Lawler & Mike Smith) & ESPN

Radio –

• Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (John Ireland & Mychal Thompson)
• Los Angeles: KFWB 980 (Ralph Lawler, Mike Smith & Brian Sieman)

Injuries –

Lakers:

• Andrew Bynum (Sprained Left Ankle) Day-to-Day
• Jordan Hill (Sprained MCL, Right Knee) Questionable

      Clippers:

• Chris Paul (Bruised Right Elbow) Day-to-Day
• Chauncey Billups (Torn Left Achilles Tendon) Out