Los Angeles Lakers are 3-0 Down vs. Clippers This Season: Can They Overturn it Tonight?

Posted on by Jack Marks

The Los Angeles Lakers (27-34) travel to Crypto.com Arena on Thursday evening to play their local rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers (33-31). The Lakers are now 4.5 games behind the Clippers. The Clippers have won four straight games, including a last-second victory over the Lakers last week, while the Lakers have dropped three straight games. This will be the two franchise’s final regular-season meeting.

The Lakers have had a bad start to the season, and their off-season preparations haven’t gone as planned. Despite showing indications of coming together at times, they’ve struggled to finish games, and Anthony Davis’ injury history has harmed the franchise even more.

Los Angeles Lakers

In the meanwhile, the Clippers have had an injury-plagued season. However, in recent weeks, the club has been able to build some momentum and win games against tough opponents as they aim to secure a playoff berth. The Lakers and Clippers have played three times this season, with the Lakers losing all three games by a combined eight points.

Can Los Angeles Lakers revert a fourth consecutive defeat vs Clippers?

Last three meetings between Lakers and Clippers:

  • Dec. 3: 119-115
  • Feb. 3: 111-110
  • Feb. 25: 105-102

The Lakers were within one point with about two minutes left on Dec. 3 when the Clippers made three three-pointers in the final minute to win the victory. Davis witnessed a potential buzzer-beater fall partly down before cruelly popping out on Feb. 3, when the Lakers led numerous times in the last two minutes.

LA Lakers are one of the most successful teams in NBA
May 6, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; A general overall view of a jump ball between Los Angeles Lakers center Andre Drummond (2) and LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) in the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With 29 seconds left in last week’s game, the Lakers took a one-point lead on a Marcus Morris jumper. Moments later, Westbrook missed a six-foot shot, and the officials took eight-and-a-half minutes to overrule the ruling on the floor and send the ball to the Clippers. With four seconds remaining, the purple and gold had another chance to win, but Anthony missed a deep three.

Those performances, unsurprisingly, have made a significant impact on the rankings, essentially defining the gap between the city rivals this season.