The Los Angeles Lakers have dropped their first two games since LeBron James went down with his groin injury, this time losing to their Staples Center rent-mates, the Los Angeles Clippers 118-107.
Lou Williams did the majority of the damage against the team that once employed him, but similarly to the Lakers’ last loss against the Sacramento Kings, some similar problems popped up.
For three quarters, it looked like the Lakers might be able to pull off an impressive win. It should be said, though, that while the Lakers were building their lead over the Clippers, it was on the back of some somewhat random production.
At the end of the day, with Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee and that LeBron guy out, the Clippers were the better team heading into tonight’s game. They have been better than you probably think this season and have bought into an identity based on a collective grouping of talent finding the best way to work things out. They deserve a ton of credit for the way this season has gone for them thus far.
For the Lakers, the schedule doesn’t get any easier. They will face the same Sacramento Kings they lost to just a night ago, then take on the Oklahoma City Thunder who only happen to reside at or near the top of the Western Conference.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Josh Hart was thrown out as he finally reciprocated the lack of love referees have had for him since he was drafted. Luke Walton also picked up a technical because why not.
The last couple losses drop the Lakers down from the four-spot they were at before LeBron got hurt to the basement of the playoffs and, if they don’t turn things around, things could get ugly quickly. Tough schedule notwithstanding, they’ll have to figure things out as guys get healthy — hopefully quickly.