INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Bend, don’t break.
Although a cliché, those three words characterize the Clippers’ last three wins, all decided in single digits. That trend reigned true against the Los Angeles Lakers, who, despite facing a 26-point deficit on Thursday, rallied back and nearly stunned the Clips.
The 112-104 win saw the Clippers commit 18 turnovers with 17 points conceded off them. James Harden committed seven of them — and only shot 6-of-21 from the field — but still finished with 18 points.
Kawhi Leonard was questionable to play but suited up for 25 minutes and scored an efficient 24 points. Ivica Zubac’s 18-point, 19-rebound performance was his fourth consecutive double-double.
The win had its drawbacks. Head coach Tyronn Lue running with a nine-man rotation didn’t make things easy, and the Clippers did not tally a single block all game. But seven of the nine players finished in double figures, garnering enough points to edge out Luka Dončić’s 32 points. LeBron James finished with 23 despite a slow start, and the Lakers only committed 10 turnovers.
Talk of Troy reporter Kasey Kazliner was present at Intuit Dome and analyzed the Clippers’ win on Unclipped, TOT’s Clippers podcast.