Lakers looking to build while major shake-up looms for Clippers
LOS ANGELES — Even though they will have played a common opponent within 24 hours of each other, the Lakers and Clippers go into Wednesday night’s game, their first matchup of the season, in very different places.
The Lakers (2-2) are coming off a 106-103 home win against the Orlando Magic on Monday night. The Clippers played the Magic on Tuesday in the first night of a back-to-back.
That’s where the similarities end.
Even before the win over the Magic, the Lakers talked about the importance of needing time to gel as a group. They valued continuity and didn’t make any groundbreaking roster moves in the offseason.
And even though Coach Darvin Ham mentioned needing to take a closer look at the rotation, they still believe that sticking with the group they have will benefit them in the long run.
“It’s always tough, especially when Gabe [Vincent] missed a substantial amount of the preseason, still trying to get going and find his rhythm,” star big man Anthony Davis said recently. “Austin [Reaves is] trying to find his shot, especially tonight. [Jarred Vanderbilt is] out, which is a big part of our defense, just guarding the ball and helping us on the boards for rebounds.
“It’s a lot that plays a factor. Still trying to figure it out. We’ve got new faces. We’re playing pretty well and once we take care of the offensive rebounding and the transition, then we’ll be fine. And that doesn’t matter who is on the floor. That’s just an effort thing at this point.”
Meanwhile, the Clippers are on the cusp of a significant roster shake-up, reportedly acquiring 10-time All-Star guard James Harden in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. The deal still wasn’t official as of Tuesday afternoon, but Harden is expected to be a part of the Clippers soon.
Once Harden makes it to the L.A., there will be an adjustment period for the Clippers – likely one even greater than the Lakers have been going through.
For the Lakers, they seem to be finding rhythm with certain groups that work.
The frontcourt of Davis, LeBron James and Christian Wood has flourished in the small sample of four games, with the Lakers dominating opponents in the 28 minutes that trio has been on the court.
That trio was part of the crunchtime lineup in the victory over the Magic and a win against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
“It gives us a lot of length in our frontcourt,” James said. “And one of our biggest kryptonites over the last few years has been being able to close out possessions. We do a great job of getting stops but when we give up offensive rebounds, a lot of teams scoring second-chance points has been killing us. So to be able to have that ability to have that length, to be able to rebound those missed shots, it’s definitely key for us. It’s big-time.”
Davis, especially, has stepped up in the last week.
He’s averaged 28.7 points (57.9% shooting), 15.7 rebounds, three assists, three blocked shots and a pair of steals in the three games since his scoreless second half in the season-opening loss to the Denver Nuggets.
“It’s just him being himself,” Ham said. “Him just settling in. The game legs are coming. It’s what the early part of the season is for. I constantly tell him to be aggressive, be assertive. He’s the captain of our defense. He’s back there holding down the back line, talking, active. He’s starting to get into a really, really nice rhythm. An efficient rhythm, at that. That’s what these early games are about: blowing it all out, being competitive across the board and he’s right at the top of that list.”
CLIPPERS AT LAKERS
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV/radio: ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet, Bally Sports SoCal, 710 AM, 570 AM, 1330 AM