LOS ANGELES (News4usonline) – The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in a convincing fashion. On what was considered a rival night for the NBA, the rivalry has been very one-sided for the past few seasons.
The Clippers have extended their winning streak over the Lakers to nine straight games. For what is seen as a big matchup between the two teams, it is clear at this moment the Clippers and Lakers are heading in different directions at the start of the season.
“My message to them is to play the right way, play with good habits. We’re not gonna win every game, but creating good habits and doing that on both sides… I know it is early in the season, but our habits are the most important thing right now.” said Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue.
This win over the Lakers will help the Clippers continue to build their confidence and help them move forward in the season. It has not been the fastest start so far for the Clippers, due to everyone on the team coming together and learning to play with one another. The Clippers have a deep and well-built roster, but with that being so only so many minutes can go around.
Lineups and rotations have been something that the Clippers have continued to change with new looks. With injuries still affecting superstar Kawhi Leonard, Lue has been expressing the need for star Paul George to become more aggressive. With Leonard out the need is there for George to dominate.
“I had that talk with PG. He is a great player, so you got to be aggressive and do what you do. You can’t take a backseat, you got to be aggressive,” said Lue.
With the need for George to be more aggressive, he has certainly done that over the past few games and showed out against the Lakers. George finished the game with 29 points and a balanced 6sixrebounds and four assists. Despite the Lakers being down and making a comeback in the second and third quarters, George was able to hold the Lakers back.
Former teammate and current Lakers player Patrick Beverly attempted to guard George, but his pesky defense had no impact for Geroge dominated the game.
“I just wanted to get to a spot and raise up… with Pat he’s really good if you try to dance and give him a chance to crowd you so I didn’t play his game, thought I just kept it simple,” said George.
The Clippers have dominated the Lakers matchup for a few seasons now, and this win over the Lakers clearly shows they are on two different paths at this moment. The Clippers sit at 7-5 and a two-game winning streak, while the Lakers drop to 2-9 which is an underwhelming start to their season.
After the loss to the rival Clippers, head coach of the Lakers Darvin Ham expressed that mindset will be an important factor in them moving forward.
“It is not really the wins and losses I know it matters absolutely, but it is the way we approach the game. Our attitude, our energy going into the games and sustaining that. There are going to be ups and downs… it’s about how we manage it and we need to pick ourselves up,” said coach Ham.
