The Los Angeles Lakers return home after their emphatic win over the Sacramento Kings. This time they go up against their city rivals, Los Angeles Clippers who share the same arena. The Lake Show has a big positive as LeBron James makes his return to the court.
However, Serge Ibaka dropped the ‘King’ on his return.
Both LA teams have had an average season so far. The Clippers are stuck at .500 while the Lakers are only one game over. Moreover, both teams have faced injury problems. While the Clippers lost Kawhi Leonard after the playoffs last season, the Lakers have had their injury worries as well.
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Notably, LeBron has played just under half the games so far this season.
The Lakers have also struggled with injuries this season. In his return, LeBron James fell victim to it as he had his ankles taken by Ibaka.
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LeBron James gets dropped
While the Clippers went on a run in the first quarter, Ibaka got a pass in the corner. LeBron James tried to get to him as the big man faked him out and drove. The ‘King’ did not expect it and his ankles were injured in the process.
It was a big relief to him when Ibaka missed the floater, but it sure was embarrassing for James.
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With the game, a big positive arrived for the Lakers as LeBron James came out of the league’s health and safety protocol. Anthony Davis also came through and is leading the team with 12 points and 5 rebounds. Westbrook is once again all over the game accumulating 5 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists.
It has been a close contest so far at half time as both LA teams try to gain the edge. Paul George is driving Clippers in the game with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Big man Zubac has also entered the double digit mark with 10 points. The Clippers go in with a three point advantage at the half. However, the Lakers have shot the ball much better.
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Free throws have been the main reason the Clippers are up. They have shot ten more free throws than the Lakers so far and missed just one. On the other hand, the Lakers have missed four of their ten free throws.
Do you think the Lakers will dominate the second half like their last game? Let us know in the comments below.