JJ: Ready for another loss, Zoomy… I mean, Clippers? This could get ugly.
RZ: Well, yes. Indeed it could. But I would bet that we won’t see the massacre we saw when these teams first met. The Lakers are just as impressive as ever, but the Clippers hadn’t had any time to get acclimated to each other and tonight, they’ll have Marcus Camby. Even though we’re winless through four, at the very least I know that the offense will have a little more purpose than it did last week. Besides, at this point, I’m not judging this team based on wins and losses. Otherwise I’d have put myself through a wall by now.
9:34 1st
JJ: Foul or not, Bynum is making a statement in the paint right now, already with three rebounds. I don’t know who looks more rusty, the Lakers or the refs. 6-5 Lakers
7:03 1st
RZ: Bynum dunks and goes to the line thanks to a foul on Camby – who was standing at the three-point line at the time. WTF? Tim Thomas comes in and to make things worse, Kobe is abusing Cat Mobley. Clips jump out to a lead, though, and Al Thornton (NBA’s most improved player?) switches to Kobe. 16-11 Clippers
5:18 1st
JJ: Okay, that’s the second time B. Diddy pulled up for three and hit. I know I shouldn’t say this, but it’s just a pretty shot. Just pretty. He hits a few more, however, I think I might change my tune. Did Tim Thomas just drive the lane!?!? 23-20 Clipps
3:04 1st
JJ: I’m enjoying the hell out of watching L.O. take to his new role as 6th man. He’s becoming an offensive spark plug instead of a black hole… Vlad Rad makes a hustle steal, and L.O. gets a shot block. With the Lakers first unit still on the floor, this is a much faster pace than a week ago. 27-27
End 1st 29-27 Clippers
The Clipps went cold at the end of the opening quarter, but the Lakers 39% from the field and 54% from the line has kept it close.
9:18 2nd
JJ: I said it was fast paced, but the second unit just came in and showed what their next gear looks like… L.O. get on the floor for the loose ball, Ariza runs the floor for bang outs, and Bynum continues to look four inches taller than Kaman = 9-0 Laker run. 35-29 Lakers
8:05 2nd
RZ: Second units have come onto the floor and, just like their first meeting, that means Laker domination. The Clips’ bench has no answer for (A) Lamar Odom or (B) Trevor Ariza. Call it the “Long Beach Poly Effect.” I imagine lots of teams will have this problem over the course of the season, but it’s especially crippling for the Cripplers. I mean Clippers.
37-30 Lakers
4:00 2nd
JJ: Ariza takes a nice pass from Pau and dunks it home, causes a turnover with his long reach, and draws a foul going to the rim. Who’s better off the bench, L.O. or Ariza? Or a better question: Who’s more of a pleasent surprise? 40-33 Lakers
Half
RZ: Correct me if I’m wrong, but I do believe the Clips are taking a four-point lead into the half. That, my friends, you can attribute to Al Thornton. He was all over the place in the last few minutes, and while Baron is the motor that makes this team run, Thornton is the spark plug that turns solid play into exciting play. Let’s see if they can hold onto the lead as Phil Jackson most likely threatened a curse on the Lakers’ souls if they lose this game.
51-47 Clippers
6:00 3rd
RZ: Clippers hanging tough! Both starting fives opened the second half and its dead even. In the two games these teams have played, the starters have been pretty evenly matched. It’s when the Lakers’ second unit comes in (and so does Tim Thomas) that they pull away. But Baron is running the show to perfection right now and Camby is negating the quality play of Gasol and Bynum. Whoever wins the next six minutes will probably win the game. Your move, Al Thornton.
63-61 Clippers
2:00 3rd
JJ: Vlad Rad brings rain with another high arching three ball, but Thornton makes his move right into the lane on the next trip down and draws the charge. Timeout on the floor… 67-65 Lakers
End 3rd
JJ: We’ve got ourselves a game! The Clippers look like an entirely different team since a week ago, and the Lakers haven’t been able to put them away for good. Someone call the bullpen and get the closer up… #24, that’s you.
72-68 Lakers
7:58 4th
RZ: The Lakers aren’t playing particularly well but then, neither are the Clippers. Both teams are having trouble putting the ball in the bucket. What happened to the high-octane scoring from the 2nd quarter? Clips are in foul trouble so the definite advantage lies with the Lakers. But Cat Mobley just won’t let his squad die. Four straight from him and Lamar continues to flop around on the floor. Down the stretch they come!
81-78 Clippers
6:11 4th
JJ: FARMAR! The young Bruin gets his own rebound and takes it to the tin to cap a 9-0 Laker run. #24… Calling #24…. 87-81 Lakers
2:44 4th
JJ: Purple & Gold makes 19-0 runs look good, or better, I guess. Kobe is driving the lane, and Fisher and L.O. hit big threes. 98-81 Lakers
RZ: Like I said earlier, I’m not judging the Clippers by the win/loss column. So I’m ok with losing to a great team like the Lakers. But giving up a 19-0 run after leading by 2 late in the 4th… I’m gonna go curl up on the couch now.
FINAL 106-88 Lakers
In a game of runs, it was the Lakers 28-7 run in the fourth quarter that proved to be the difference. It feels like 2002 the way these Lakers seem to be able to turn it on whenever they want. And the Clippers are winless… wait, is it 2002?!?