The Los Angeles Lakers head south of the 10 Freeway to face the Clippers for the second time this season and the first time at Intuit Dome.
Lakers (19–7) vs. Clippers (6–21) | Game 27 of 82
Where to Watch and What Time
📅 Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
⏰ Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. PST
📍 Location: Intuit Dome — Inglewood, California
📺 TV: Spectrum SportsNet, NBA TV
📻 Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
Game Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers head south of the 10 Freeway to face the Clippers for the second time this season and the first time at Intuit Dome.
While the Lakers have won three of their last four games with a 19-7 record, the Clippers have been beyond disappointing this season with the third-worst record in the NBA (second-worst in the West) at 6-21, losing five straight and 10 of their last 11 games.
The Lakers will be down three starters against their cross-town rivals, missing Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura, along with backup guard Gabe Vincent.
The Lakers will again look to Luka Dončić and LeBron James, who have pushed L.A. to two straight wins coming into this game.
Dončić is coming off a 45-point triple-double—his third of the season—in the Lakers' 143-135 road win against the Jazz, while James had 28-7-10.
The Opponent and their Top Dogs
Injuries and being the oldest team in the NBA have been issues for this team. Norman Powell's replacement, Bradley Beal, played only six games before ending his season because of a hip injury.
Kawhi Leonard has missed 10 games this season, averaging 24.8 points in 17 games.
James Harden has been the Clippers' lone bright spot, playing at an All-Star level in his 17th season. In 25 games, he's averaged 26.0 points (12th highest in the NBA) and 8.1 assists.
Ivica Zubac will be a challenge for this Lakers team with Ayton out, leaving bigger roles for Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber on the assignment, as Zubac has averaged 16 and 11 this season.
Notable Opponent Ranks Among the NBA
The Clippers have the 23rd-rated (112.8) offense and fifth-worst-rated (118.9) defense in the NBA. Here are some notable (good and meh) rankings of where they sit among the league.
2nd best FT% in NBA (82.9%)
3rd fewest points scored a game (110.9)
Tied for the worst turnover percentage in the NBA (16.4)
16th FG% in the NBA (47%)
20th 3P% in the NBA (35.1%)
28th in fast break points a game (12.4)
Allow the most fast break points a game (17.8)
Injury Report
Lakers:
Austin Reaves (calf strain): Out
Rui Hachimura (right groin soreness): Out
Deandre Ayton (elbow soreness): Out
Gabe Vincent (lower back tightness): Out
Clippers:
Cam Christie (foot): Day-to-day
Yanic Konan Niederhauser (knee): Out
Derrick Jones Jr. (knee): Out
Bradley Beal (season-ending hip surgery): Out
Threads for the Game
The Lakers will wear their white threads on the road, while the Clippers will don their new red statement edition uniforms.
Next Matchup
The Lakers will travel back to Phoenix for their next matchup on Tuesday and then play the following five games at home, starting on Christmas against the Rockets.
Category: General Sports
