2) Clippers let a late game comeback happen…almost
Thankfully, another really bad loss was avoided. The Clippers scored 38 points in a monstrous third quarter with the Lakers only managing 22. They led by as many as 22 points but that slowly dissolved away.
Doc Rivers was proactive and staggered the lineup towards the beginning of the fourth quarter, but that questionable Griffin-Speights front court wasn’t enough to fend off the Lakers. Another loss due to a blown lead would be costly and humiliating, so Doc didn’t mess around tonight. He pulled the plug earlier than usual and put his starters back in the game (with Raymond Felton staying) to clean it up.
Even with the Clippers starters in, the Lakers managed to cut the lead to 8. Their comeback was dismantled as they could find answers for Blake and CP3.