Since the 2012-13 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have struggled mightily against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Some may have thought they had an opportunity to go against that trend on Wednesday with Kawhi Leonard out, but it was the same old story.
The Lakers fell behind, 38-21, at the end of the first quarter. They made what may be becoming a customary second-quarter run to pull within two at halftime. But their third-quarter woes continued. They were outscored by 10 in the frame and never drew much closer afterward.
As usual, offense was the Lakers’ biggest problem. Over the last few years, they have had significant offensive problems against the Clippers: Paul George and company tend to slow the tempo and make the Lakers play a style they cannot succeed at.