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Los Angeles Clippers 2018-2019 Schedule Breakdown: April

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Montrezl Harrell #5 and Boban Marjanovic #51 of the LA Clippers react to a play during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 11, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Montrezl Harrell #5 and Boban Marjanovic #51 of the LA Clippers react to a play during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 11, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 17: LeBron James
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 17: LeBron James /

Game 80: LA Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers

Friday, April 5 at 7:30 PM

Last season: Clippers won series 3-1

The Clippers won’t get their first look at the LeBron-led Lakers until December 28, and they’ll get their final look of the season here on April 5.

Judging how this season series — as well as this individual game — will turn out will be difficult. Yes, it is almost always wrong to bet against a team featuring the NBA’s all-time great, but time has shown that betting against his generally weak supporting staff can be wise.

Unlucky for James, these Lakers may be the worst team he’s ever played on — and it seems he knows that, too.

According to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd, James is reportedly aware that the Lakers could be in a better position to win next season, after acquiring another star free agent next summer, saying the following:

"“If it takes him until next summer’s star-studded free-agent class to find help, he’s willing to wait.”"

However, that doesn’t mean James and his Lakers won’t try. And that also doesn’t mean the Clippers won’t try as hard to stop him.

The Clippers have some very solid firepower at the forward positions in Tobias Harris and Danilo Gallinari, though Doc Rivers may opt to start likely backup Luc Mbah a Moute over one of them instead.

Mbah a Moute, a staple for his defense, has been excellent against James in recent memory. In fact, one of his most memorable games with the Clippers was against James’ Cavaliers in December 2016. Mbah a Moute recorded five steals in his matchup with The King, en route to a 113-94 victory over Cleveland. He finished the game with a game-high +21 plus/minus rating, while James recorded a game-low -20.

Assuming the Clippers make the right adjustments, this could be another game in which the Clippers steal a victory from a team fighting hard for playoff positioning.

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