Game ID: 22300505
LA Clippers @ Los Angeles Lakers
Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 9:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 19 30 32 25 106LAC 24 29 24 26 103
LAC @ LAL ScoutingLAC @ LAL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 12/30 · 1 day's restOUT Vincent missed 4 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Wood back 12/28 after 2, 23 min since (134% of 17)
BACK Christie back 12/28 after 3, 24 min since (172% of 14)
NEW Prince 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Reddish 20 to 28 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 12/31 · back-to-backOUT Vincent missed 5 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Wood back 12/28 after 2, 18 min since (105% of 17)
BACK Christie back 12/28 after 3, 24 min since (172% of 14)
NEW Prince 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Reddish 20 to 26 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 1/03 · 2 days' restOUT Vincent missed 6 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Wood back 12/28 after 2, 21 min since (118% of 17)
BACK Christie back 12/28 after 3, 27 min since (190% of 14)
LAL availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Russell missed 2 since 12/31, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 7 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Wood back 12/28 after 2, 22 min since (124% of 17)
BACK Christie back 12/28 after 3, 27 min since (194% of 14)
LAL availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Russell missed 3 since 12/31, returns tonight: 31 min (94% of 33)
OUT Hachimura missed 2 since 1/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 8 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Wood back 12/28 after 2, 20 min since (118% of 17)
BACK Christie back 12/28 after 3, 26 min since (181% of 14)
LAL availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT Hachimura missed 3 since 1/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 9 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 2 since 1/05, out tonight
BACK Russell back 1/07 after 3, 31 min since (94% of 33)
NEW Prince 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Christie 14 to 23 min over the last 4
LAL availability going into 1/11 · 1 day's restOUT Hachimura missed 4 since 1/03, out tonight
OUT Vincent missed 10 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 3 since 1/05, returns tonight: 13 min (107% of 12)
BACK Russell back 1/07 after 3, 24 min since (72% of 33)
NEW Prince 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Christie 14 to 22 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/13 · 1 day's restOUT Hachimura missed 5 since 1/03, returns tonight: 19 min (69% of 27)
OUT Vincent missed 11 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Russell back 1/07 after 3, 25 min since (76% of 33)
BACK Hayes back 1/11 after 3, 13 min since (107% of 12)
NEW Christie 14 to 21 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 1/15 · 1 day's restOUT Vincent missed 12 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Russell back 1/07 after 3, 29 min since (88% of 33)
BACK Hachimura back 1/13 after 5, 19 min since (69% of 27)
BACK Hayes back 1/11 after 3, 13 min since (107% of 12)
LAC availability going into 12/29 · 2 days' restOUT Leonard missed 3 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 14 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 24 since 11/08, out tonight
BACK Hyland back 12/21 after 4, 9 min since (64% of 14)
NEW Coffey 21 to 26 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 1/01 · 2 days' restOUT Leonard missed 4 since 12/21, returns tonight: 34 min (99% of 34)
OUT Tucker missed 15 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 25 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 2 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 2 since 12/26, returns tonight: 3 min (29% of 10)
NEW Coffey 21 to 29 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 16 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 26 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 3 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Leonard back 1/01 after 4, 34 min since (99% of 34)
BACK Boston back 1/01 after 2, 3 min since (29% of 10)
LAC availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 17 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 27 since 11/08, returns tonight: 7 min (51% of 14)
OUT Hyland missed 4 since 12/26, returns tonight: 6 min (47% of 14)
BACK Leonard back 1/01 after 4, 37 min since (108% of 34)
BACK Boston back 1/01 after 2, 3 min since (29% of 10)
LAC availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 18 since 11/29, out tonight
BACK Leonard back 1/01 after 4, 34 min since (101% of 34)
BACK Plumlee back 1/05 after 27, 7 min since (51% of 14)
BACK Hyland back 1/05 after 4, 6 min since (47% of 14)
BACK Boston back 1/01 after 2, 5 min since (47% of 10)
LAC availability going into 1/08 · back-to-backOUT Tucker missed 19 since 11/29, out tonight
BACK Leonard back 1/01 after 4, 35 min since (101% of 34)
BACK Plumlee back 1/05 after 27, 7 min since (51% of 14)
BACK Hyland back 1/05 after 4, 6 min since (47% of 14)
BACK Boston back 1/01 after 2, 5 min since (47% of 10)
LAC availability going into 1/10 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 20 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 2 since 1/07, out tonight
BACK Leonard back 1/01 after 4, 34 min since (100% of 34)
BACK Plumlee back 1/05 after 27, 6 min since (42% of 14)
BACK Boston back 1/01 after 2, 5 min since (46% of 10)
LAC availability going into 1/12 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 21 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Hyland missed 3 since 1/07, out tonight
BACK Plumlee back 1/05 after 27, 6 min since (42% of 14)
LAC availability going into 1/14 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 22 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Plumlee missed 2 since 1/10, returns tonight: 16 min (111% of 14)
OUT Hyland missed 4 since 1/07, out tonight
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 24 free throws a game; Davis at 28 and James at 24 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Russell (3 straight), Hachimura (2 straight), Vincent (8 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 106, shooting 52 percent and 42 from three, 23 free throws a game; George at 26 and Leonard at 24 a game. That is 5 straight wins. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Tucker (18 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-7 a night and the Lakers minus-3 and the arc, the Clippers at 42 percent from three to the Lakers' 32. Call it the Clippers 116, the Lakers 112, the Lakers keeping it close.
12/30 @ MIN 106-108 — LAL notes
LAL lost 106-108. LAL took 12 more shots (88 to 76), but shot 42% to MIN's 50%, 7 of 24 from three, and went to the line 32 times to MIN's 24 — 25 points from the stripe to their 20. LAL turned it over 10 times to MIN's 19. Davis led with 33 (12 of 17, 8 of 10 at the line); James added 26. Q4 was theirs, 29-26, the deficit cut from 5 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 82-77 against them. They led by as many as 11.
12/31 @ NOP 109-129 — LAL notes
LAL lost 109-129. LAL shot 48% (39 of 82) to NOP's 52%, 10 of 32 from three. The glass went 35-47 against them. James led with 34 (12 of 24, 3 of 7 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Reaves added 20, Davis 20. Q3 was theirs, 32-30, the deficit cut from 17 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 99-77 against them. Reaves's -19 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/03 vs MIA 96-110 — LAL notes
LAL lost 96-110. LAL shot 42% (35 of 83) to MIA's 44%, 4 of 30 from three, and went to the line 24 times to MIA's 17 — 22 points from the stripe to their 12. LAL turned it over 21 times to MIA's 8, and MIA turned those into 14 steals. The glass went 50-39 for them. Davis led with 29 (10 of 17, 9 of 10 at the line); Reaves added 24, Christie 14. Q3 was theirs, 22-19, the deficit cut from 8 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 91-74 against them. James's -20 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/05 vs MEM 113-127 — LAL notes
LAL lost 113-127. LAL shot 49% (42 of 85) to MEM's 54%, 10 of 28 from three, and went to the line 27 times to MEM's 20 — 19 points from the stripe to their 16. James led with 32 (11 of 24, 4 of 9 from three, 6 of 10 at the line); Davis added 31, Reaves 19. Q1 was theirs, 38-29, but the other 3 periods went 98-75 against them. They led by as many as 13. Reaves's -23 in 40 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/07 vs LAC 106-103 — LAL notes
LAL won 106-103. LAL shot 51% (42 of 82) to LAC's 40%, 11 of 29 from three. LAL turned it over 19 times to LAC's 14, and LAC turned those into 12 steals. James led with 25 (11 of 19, 1 of 3 from three); Davis added 22, Russell 13. The hinge was Q3, 32-24: LAL came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 4. LAL trailed 49-53 at the half and won the second half 57-50. Christie was the night's best plus/minus at +10.
1/09 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 29 from three, 25 free throws a game; Davis at 27 and James at 26 a game. Without Hachimura (3 straight), Vincent (9 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 123, shooting 52 percent and 42 from three, 27 free throws a game; Siakam at 26 and Barrett at 21 a game. Without Dick (6 straight), Freeman-Liberty (34 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, Toronto at 42 percent from three to the Lakers' 29 and the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 15 times a game to Toronto's 10. Call it the Lakers 117, Toronto 116, Toronto keeping it close.
1/11 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; Davis at 29 and James at 25 a game. Without Hachimura (4 straight), Vincent (10 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Booker at 22 and Beal at 19 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the arc, Phoenix at 37 percent from three to the Lakers' 33. Call it the Lakers 116, Phoenix 115, Phoenix keeping it close.
1/13 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 37 from three, 26 free throws a game; Markkanen at 24 and Sexton at 19 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Horton-Tucker (4 straight), Juzang (14 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Davis at 27 and James at 20 a game. Without Hachimura (5 straight), Vincent (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-11 a night and the Lakers minus-1. Call it Utah 119, the Lakers 114.
1/15 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 124, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 26 free throws a game; Davis at 24 and James at 22 a game. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Vincent (12 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 110, shooting 55 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 32 and Holmgren at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 110 a night to the Lakers' 124 and the glass, where OKC has been plus-1 a night and the Lakers minus-6. Call it OKC 121, the Lakers 115.
12/29 vs MEM 117-106 — LAC notes
LAC won 117-106. LAC shot 49% (43 of 87) to MEM's 44%, 11 of 39 from three. LAC turned it over 17 times to MEM's 12, and MEM turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 54-33 for them. George led with 23 (8 of 21, 2 of 8 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Harden added 16, Zubac 15. The hinge was Q3, 35-21: a lead of 5 became 19. Coffey was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
1/01 vs MIA 121-104 — LAC notes
LAC won 121-104. LAC shot 59% (47 of 80) to MIA's 42%, 14 of 29 from three, and got to the line 14 times to MIA's 29. Leonard led with 24 (10 of 19, 2 of 5 from three); George added 23, Powell 22. The hinge was Q2, 36-23: LAC came in trailing by 12 and left it ahead by 1, and the lead reached 22. Zubac was the night's best plus/minus at +28.
1/03 @ PHX 131-122 — LAC notes
LAC won 131-122. LAC shot 55% (42 of 76) to PHX's 53%, 18 of 34 from three, and went to the line 32 times to PHX's 26 — 29 points from the stripe to their 23. George led with 33 (8 of 14, 5 of 10 from three, 12 of 14 at the line); Leonard added 30, Harden 22. The hinge was Q1, 35-20: from level to 15 ahead, and the lead reached 23. Mann was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
1/05 @ NOP 111-95 — LAC notes
LAC won 111-95. LAC shot 49% (40 of 82) to NOP's 36%, 15 of 36 from three. LAC turned it over 14 times to NOP's 9, and NOP turned those into 9 steals. George led with 24 (9 of 15, 6 of 10 from three); Leonard added 19, Zubac 15. The hinge was Q2, 30-15: from level to 15 ahead, and the lead reached 31. Powell was the night's best plus/minus at +36.
1/07 @ LAL 103-106 — LAC notes
LAC lost 103-106. LAC took 9 more shots (91 to 82), fed by 13 offensive rebounds, but shot 40% to LAL's 51%, 14 of 37 from three. LAC turned it over 14 times to LAL's 19. George led with 22 (8 of 18, 4 of 11 from three); Zubac added 22, Harden 15. Q1 was theirs, 24-19, but the other 3 periods went 87-79 against them. Westbrook's -12 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/08 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 25 and Leonard at 22 a game. They have won the glass by 7 a night. Without Tucker (19 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 109, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Booker at 22 and Beal at 21 a game. Without Gordon (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-7 a night and Phoenix minus-1 and the arc, the Clippers at 41 percent from three to Phoenix's 36. Call it the Clippers 115, Phoenix 111, Phoenix keeping it close.
1/10 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 108, shooting 53 percent and 46 from three, 22 free throws a game; George at 25 and Leonard at 21 a game. They have won the glass by 6 a night. Without Tucker (20 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 123, shooting 53 percent and 42 from three, 24 free throws a game; Siakam at 24 and Barrett at 21 a game. Without Dick (7 straight), Freeman-Liberty (35 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 108 a night to Toronto's 123 and the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-6 a night and Toronto plus-0. Call it the Clippers 121, Toronto 114.
1/12 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 109, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Bane at 25 and Morant at 25 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Gilyard (7 straight), Rose (4 straight). 2 days' rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 111, shooting 52 percent and 45 from three, 21 free throws a game; George at 27 and Leonard at 22 a game. They have won the glass by 6 a night. Without Tucker (21 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 45 percent from three to Memphis's 38 and the turnovers, Memphis giving it away 15 times a game to the Clippers' 12. Call it the Clippers 114, Memphis 113, Memphis keeping it close.
1/14 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 104, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Towns at 24 and Edwards at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 110, shooting 52 percent and 44 from three, 19 free throws a game; George at 27 and Leonard at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. They have won the glass by 4 a night. Without Tucker (22 straight). One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 44 percent from three to Minnesota's 38. Call it Minnesota 114, the Clippers 111, the Clippers keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
LALAD A. Davis
AR A. Reaves
CR C. Reddish
CW C. Wood
DR D. Russell
JV J. Vanderbilt
LJ L. James
MC M. Christie
TP T. Prince
LACAC A. Coffey
DT D. Theis
IZ I. Zubac
JH J. Harden
KL K. Leonard
NP N. Powell
PG P. George
RW R. Westbrook
TM T. Mann
LAL/LAC the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
LeBron James scores 25 points, Lakers hold off Clippers 106-103 to snap 4-game losing streak
LOS ANGELES -- — LeBron James had 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Taurean Prince hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1:17 to play and the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 106-103 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night.
Anthony Davis had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who beat the surging Clippers for the second straight time after losing 11 in a row to their hallway rivals.
While James and Davis carried them, Prince and D'Angelo Russell also made key plays down the stretch as the Lakers hung on for just their fourth victory in 14 games since winning the NBA’s Inaugural In-Season Tournament.
“We played like we needed to win, like it was a must-win,” Davis said. “We competed on both sides of the basketball. We’ve just got to build off of it. We know what we have in the locker room. We know what it takes to win, and we displayed that tonight.”
James set the tone shortly after halftime with a ferocious dunk on Paul George , and the Lakers never trailed in the fourth quarter despite blowing a 10-point lead. They still couldn't exhale until Norman Powell 's 3-point attempt rattled in and out at the buzzer.
“Overtime,” James said when asked what he was thinking while he watched Powell's shot. "It looked like it was good for sure. Right on line. ... We've got to continue to get better. Try to use this to catapult (us to play) a little bit better. Better play from us, but it still don't take away from the fact of how we've been playing like the last 11, 12 games."
Paul George scored 22 points and Ivica Zubac had 22 points and 19 rebounds for the Clippers, whose five-game winning streak ended. Kawhi Leonard scored 15 points, and James Harden had 15 points and nine assists in the childhood Lakers fan's first game against them since getting traded home to the Clippers, who have still won 14 of their last 17.
“We just didn’t play a good offensive game,” Lue said. “There was a bad flow to the game offensively. I thought our defense was pretty good, but offensively we couldn’t get in a flow or a rhythm.”
Neither team took a double-digit lead until Russell’s third 3-pointer put the Lakers up 92-82 early in the fourth. The Clippers rallied with nine consecutive points down the stretch, and they tied it on Powell’s three free throws with 2:19 to play while the Lakers went into a 2-for-7 slump with six turnovers.
But Russell found Prince for his big 3-pointer from the perimeter, one of his biggest shots since joining the Lakers.
Harden kept it close with a 3-pointer with 23 seconds left, and Austin Reaves missed one of two free throws with 4.2 seconds left. Powell had a decent look, but couldn't tie it.
“You're going to have games like this (where) you're not going to play great,” Leonard said. “You've just got to give the Lakers credit. They came out aggressive with energy. Bron had a great game, and AD, and they led them to victory.”
Russell scored 13 points with three 3-pointers in his return from a three-game absence with a bruised tailbone for the Lakers, who had been on a three-season skid against the Clippers until they broke through with an overtime victory early this season .
“They’re a championship ballclub, as far as I’m seeing,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said of the Clippers. “Playing very high-level basketball, multiple threats all over the place. That’s a huge, huge win. A great win to get off the slide.”
The game was a franchise milestone for the Clippers, who played their final game as the “visiting” team in their own arena, barring a playoff series between these clubs. The two Los Angeles teams' final two meetings of this regular season will be “home” games for the Clippers.
The Clippers and Lakers have shared the building long known at Staples Center since it opened in 1999, with the Clippers finally becoming worthy rivals over the past decade after years of struggle.
Billionaire Clippers owner Steve Ballmer's Intuit Dome will open in Inglewood next season, finally creating an exclusive home for the franchise that has labored in the shadow of the Lakers' championship banners for a quarter-century of cohabitation.