Lakers 119, Clippers 82
March 7th, 2008, 9:52 pm · Post a Comment · posted by KEVIN DING, OCREGISTER.COM
LOS ANGELES – If the definition of a real rivalry is tenacious competition even when the teams’ talent levels are uneven, this Lakers-Clippers matchup hardly qualifies. In the 23 seasons since the Clippers moved to Los Angeles, they have won the season series just twice (1974-75 and 1992-93).
The Lakers got serious about their navigation after halftime Friday night and ditched the Clippers — with alacrity. It was 49-41 for the Lakers on the way into the third quarter; it was 84-57 going out.
Lakers captains Derek Fisher (17 points) and Kobe Bryant (16) sat out the whole fourth quarter. Pau Gasol (10 points, 11 rebounds, five assists) did also. The previous worst loss for the Clippers to the Lakers with both teams calling L.A. home was a 34-point margin in 1986.
QUOTABLE
Speaking about Chris Mihm’s recovery from his foot surgery, Phil Jackson said: “There’s a chance he’ll be back on the floor before either Trevor (Ariza) or Andrew (Bynum) get back on the floor.”
FARMAR’S STEAL
Bryant had to cover his face with a towel for nearly a minute because he was laughing so hard on the bench in the second quarter. Jordan Farmar basically stole Lamar Odom’s hit-ahead pass from Sasha Vujacic so Farmar could go in for an uncontested two-hand jam; Farmar had missed a similar dunk on the previous play.
STARTING RAD-MAN
Vladimir Radmanovic, having recovered from his calf injury, returned to the starting lineup, moving Luke Walton back to the bench role Jackson prefers for him.
NEXT
Sacramento at Lakers, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, FSN, KLAC/570.
