Clippers Kawhi Leonard, center is guarded by former UCLA player Norman Powell, top, and Fred VanVleet last Monday at the Staples Center. The Clippers won the game.
Lakers South Bay's Travis Wear (24) shoots against Oklahoma's Vincent Edwards. The South Bay Lakers lost their season opener 120-114 to the Oklahoma City Blue last Saturday. The South Bay Lakers are the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA G-League team, their minor league farm team. The game was played at the UCLA Health Training Center where the Lakers practice in El Segundo. Tickets start at $33.
Lakers superstars Lebron James, left, and Anthony Davis get ready to play defense against Toronto last Sunday at the Staples Center.
Occasionally teams look good on paper but their performances don't match the paperwork. The Clippers and Lakers look good on paper and on the court. Both teams are playing at a high level but it's still early. If they stay healthy their early season success should be the blueprint for the regular season and the playoffs.
Both teams have great players surrounded by very good role players. The Clippers have Kawhi Leonard and key role players like Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell. When their other superstar, Paul George joins the Clippers the team will be even better.
The Lakers have Lebron James and Anthony Davis and key role players Kyle Kuzma and Dwight Howard. Right now the X factor for the Lakers is Danny Green. Green is one of the best shooters in the NBA when he is hot. When he is cold like he was against Toronto last Sunday the Lakers will have a hard time beating the elite teams in the league. Green missed all five of his shots in 27 minutes. "We can't win them all," said Kuzma after the loss to Toronto. "It's time to refocus a little bit. We can't go 82-0."
The Lakers play three home games in a row starting with Friday's game against Sacramento at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday they play Atlanta at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday they face Oklahoma City at 7:30 p.m. The Clippers next home games will be Saturday against Atlanta at 7:30 p.m., Monday they play Oklahoma City at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday they face Boston at 7:30 p.m.
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