The Morning After: Clippers handle Lakers 115-104

Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3), forward Blake Griffin (32) and forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) walk to the bench for a time out in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Clippers won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3), forward Blake Griffin (32) and forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) walk to the bench for a time out in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Clippers won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) knocks away a pass intended for Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) knocks away a pass intended for Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

1) Wild first quarter runs

The Clippers started the game off with an almost perfect 17-0 run. It was full of beautiful ball movement, well executed fast break plays, and meticulous defense. During that run they took full advantage of every Laker flaw and missed basket. The Lakers weren’t on the board until 7:27 was left in the quarter.

From then on, the Lakers went on a 18-2 run to bring the game within one point. This all came after coach Luke Walton called a timeout, which is when his team flipped the switch. The Lakers dominated the Clippers during that stretch and it was embarrassing to say the least. Fortunately, it didn’t take long before the Clippers regained control of the game.

That 17-0 run was the highest Clippers run to start a game without the other team scoring since 2002. (Trivia thanks to Clippers announcers Ralph Lawler and Mike Smith).