With both teams heading into the game with matching 41-38 records and fighting to avoid the play-in tournament, Wednesday night would have been an ideal time for the Los Angeles Lakers to snap their 10-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Clippers.
It didn’t happen.
The Clippers dominated the game from the outset, scoring the first eight points and opening up a 15-3 lead. They led by 20 in the fourth quarter and while the Lakers made the game a little closer, the final outcome was never in doubt.
The Clippers win their 11th straight over the Lakers, sweeping them in the season series for a third straight year.
The Lakers last beat the Clippers on July 30, 2020, the first game for both teams in the bubble. pic.twitter.com/p3YDjcKxiV
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 6, 2023
NBA fans had a lot to say about the Clippers continuing to dominate their crosstown and cross-arena rivals.
If the Clippers could play the Lakers every playoff game, the Clippers would win the NBA championship. The Lakers ALWAYS bring out the very best in the Clippers, who have now beaten the Lakers 11 straight times. ELEVEN STRAIGHT!
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 6, 2023
It doesn’t matter who’s on the team or wearing the jersey
Lebron and AD don’t perform to standard in this matchup.
Kawhi and PG regularly do.
The role players follows suit for both
— 🏆LakersGuru🏆 (@GuruLakers) April 6, 2023
I don’t want to say this but the Lakers played 3 games in 4 nights, last night’s game went to OT and they play these Clippers who rested for 4 days. They have no legs and looked so tired tonight.
— Ryan Rueda (@iDude14) April 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/nonbiasednbafan/status/1643832381009190912
In the standings, the result was massive, as well. The Clippers went from being tied for sixth with the Lakers to tied for fifth with the Golden State Warriors and holding the tiebreaker.
The Lakers now hold the No. 7 seed, tied with the New Orleans Pelicans. If the current standings hold, those two would square off in the play-in tournament.
Clippers are now the 5th seed. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/QrJ7PaGTxn
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 6, 2023
The Lakers hold the tiebreaker over the Warriors, as well. With that, there’s still a chance that they can avoid the play-in tournament.
But to do that, the Lakers will to not only win out but also get help from either the Sacramento Kings or Portland Trail Blazers.
