Lakers vs. Clippers Preview and Game Thread: Offense against defense

The Lakers will face the Clippers for the first time on Sunday since the latter moved to their own building, the Intuit Dome.

On Sunday, the Lakers will take on their inter-city rivals, the L.A. Clippers. This will be the first time these two teams face each other this season. Both teams sit side by side in the Western Conference standings, with the Clippers a half-game in front.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. L.A. Clippers

When: 6 p.m. PT, Jan 17

Where: Intuit Dome

Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet, NBA TV

The Lakers and Clippers are coming off their corresponding victories against the Brooklyn Nets. The Clippers beat Brooklyn by a franchise record of 59 points, while the Lakers escaped with a one-point victory thanks to a missed game-winner by D’Angelo Russell.

The Clippers have been racking up wins by embracing a defensive identity. The other L.A. team has the second-best ranked defense in the league.

They’ve been clamping their opponents even more than usual as of late, having only allowed their last two competitors to score 89 or fewer points. They’re coming into this game on a three-game winning streak and have a 14-2 record on their home floor.

Offensively, Norman Powell has been sensational and is averaging 23.7 points per game. Containing him will be a top priority for the Lakers.

To counter the Clippers’ lethal defense, the Lakers’ offense needs to be sharp which will only happen if LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura all play well.

If Anthony Davis, who is currently listed on the injury report as questionable for this game is available, he should be able to neutralize Ivica Zubac and help the Lakers on the boards.

With hype and health on their side, expect another thrilling showdown between LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, who love going up against each other whenever the battle of L.A. takes place.

James Harden is another Clippers offensive weapon the Lakers have to try and slow down. He is averaging a team-high 23.7 points and shooting 45.2% from deep, so containing him will be a challenge.

Now, in their own arena, I assume the Clippers’ spirit and level of competition will be amplified in this one.

Let’s see if the Lakers handle this road game well and come out with a win in the first battle of L.A. at the Intuit Dome.

Notes and Updates

• Last season, the Lakers dominated the series against their hallway mates 3-1. Hopefully, it’s the same scenario this season, especially since these two are very close to each other in the standings race.
• For the Lakers’ injury report, LeBron James (left foot injury management) is probable.
• Anthony Davis (right calf soreness) and Jaxson Hayes (right shoulder soreness) are questionable. Dorian Finney-Smith, who missed the last two games due to personal reasons, is no longer on the report.
• Then the usuals: Jalen Hood-Schifino (left hamstring strain), Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery recovery) and Christian Wood (left knee surgery recovery) are all out. Among these three Lakers, it seems Vanderbilt is closest to returning, but that won’t be in time for this game.
• As for the Clippers, Ivica Zubac (back soreness), Norman Powell (back soreness) and James Harden (illness), Kris Dunn (left knee soreness) are questionable. PJ Tucker (not with the team) is out. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard is not listed on the report.
• We will be live on Playback for this game, so be sure to join us!

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.