The Lakers finally ended their 11-game losing streak against the Clippers, and what better time to do it than on Christmas night while on a national stage. The Lakers losing streak dated all the way back to opening night of the 2013-2014 season.
Clippers vs. Lakers, NBA Christmas 2016 final score: Lakers finally win against Clippers, 111-102
The Lakers beat the Clippers for the first time since 2013.
With Blake Griffin already out for Sunday’s game, Chris Paul also missed the game after a confusing 20 minutes leading up to the contest.
The shorthanded Clippers did not miss a beat early as Raymond Felton threw this alley-oop to DeAndre Jordan on the first play of the game.
The rest of the game was a tale of two halves. The first half was dominated by the Clippers’ role players. J.J. Redick led all scorers with 19 points, while Raymond Felton was on an early triple-double watch with eight points, seven rebounds, and six assists. The Clippers led 58-55 at the half, but despite the close score it felt as if the Clippers were completely in charge. They shot 49 percent from the field, tied a season high with 19 assists, and were playing well without Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
While the first half was all Clippers, the second half was completely dominated by the Lakers. The Lakers started the third quarter on a 13-0 run, scoring 28 points in the first eight minutes. Not only were they scoring with ease, they were also playing great defense, as well. The Lakers ended the third quarter by outscoring the Clippers, 34-16.
After Luke Walton gave the team Christmas Eve off, he knew his team would be ready to compete on Sunday.
“They’ve showed they’re gonna compete,” Luke Walton during the third quarter. “They’ve showed it all season long.”
The largest lead of the night for the Lakers was 18 points, and they controlled the second half, ultimately winning, 111-102.
Player of the Night:
The Lakers starters were too good to just pick one player. With all five players in double figures, they collectively earn Player of the Night status:
Loul Deng: 13 points, 12 rebounds
Julius Randle: 13 points, seven rebounds, eight assists
Timofey Mozgov: 19 points, three rebounds
Nick Young: 19 points, including five three-pointers
D’Angelo Russell: 14 points, five rebounds, four assists
Play of the night:
After being down by 18, the Clippers made a run of their own, getting within four points of the Lakers late in the fourth quarter. Nick Young and D’Angelo Russell had different plans, though.
Other good stuff:
This Brandon Bass dunk, y’all.
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