On most nights, if the two Los Angeles franchises – the Lakers and Clippers – get together for 48 minutes of basketball, chances are that not only are the Lakers going to win, but other than the fans at Staples Center, there isn’t a lot of coverage, save for the usual media outlets and basketball blog sites.
Yet a funny thing happened over at 1111 South Figueroa Street.
Three quarters of competitive basketball took place at the venue; however, a 16-3 run in the fourth quarter allowed the Clippers to overtake their cross-town rivals 99-92.
The first quarter was tightly contested, with the Clippers taking their first lead at 12-10 on an Eric Gordon dunk. They would increase their lead to as many as eight on an Eric Bledsoe layup, going into the second period up 27-22.
The Lakers gradually chipped away at their deficit until retaking the lead with 9:49 left in the second on a Lamar Odom three-point play. The Clippers would reclaim the lead on an Ike Diogu free throw, but the Lakers would take a 45-44 lead into their locker room at the break.
The Lakers would hold onto their lead in the third, increasing it to as many as 12 on a Kobe Bryant three-pointer wth 3:04 left in the period; however, the Clippers would gradually chip away until Eric Gordon drained a trey with one second left, leaving them down by only three going into the fourth quarter.
The Lakers held a 77-70 lead on a Shannon Brown 13-footer, but the Clippers would reclaim the lead for good on a Blake Griffin hook shot with 4:09 left to go.
While the Clippers did earn the win, apparently the Lakers took offense with 5 seconds left in the game when some pushing and shoving took place, with four players – two from each team – being ejected. What is interesting in this episode is that no punches were thrown; just the normal shoving and the like. Nevertheless, Ron Artest, Odom, Griffin and Baron Davis were ejected for their roles in the under-the-basket skirmish.
The Clippers’ high scorer was Gordon with a game-high 30 points (including four 3-pointers), along with 2 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals while Griffin added 18 with 15 rebounds and 3 assists. Davis chipped in 14 with 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and a block.
The Lakers were led by Bryant with 27 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals while Andrew Bynum added 18 with 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. Pau Gasol chipped in 13 with 8 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocks.
Both teams return to action on Monday at Staples Center when the Clippers (14-25) host the Indiana Pacers in the matinee matchup while the Lakers (30-12) host the Oklahoma City Thunder in the evening tilt.
by Stephen Rhodes
No comments:
Post a Comment