LA Clippers versus Lakers is a perfect tune-up chance

Normally a Sunday afternoon game on a major holiday featuring the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers would be a must-watch marquee game. Today, however, it’s well….not.

The LA Clippers can use the game versus the Lakers as a tune-up.

The Lakers have been falling in the standings but not due to anything they can help. Both Anthony Davis and LeBron James are out and have no planned return date. On top of that, the team will be without recent signing Andre Drummond this afternoon as well as Wesley Matthews.

While they are short-handed, the Clippers are slowly beginning to get their guys back. Newly acquired point guard Rajon Rondo will be making his debut today for the Clippers. Paul George and Marcus Morris aren’t on the injury report. They are still without Patrick Beverley and Serge Ibaka but the former is inching closer and closer to returning.

Rondo’s debut will be the big story of the day. He told Rachel Nichols in an interview today that he feels the team’s expectations are championship or bust and that he can help get them there. At a bare minimum, he adds another body to the rotation for a team that has looked exhausted at times.

Rondo entering the rotation against a depleted team is perfect timing. The team can experiment with different lineups and integrate him in while (hopefully) still pulling off a victory. The Clippers have faced a couple of disheartening losses so a big win today would do a lot for morale.

It’s a little lame that we don’t get the “Battle of Los Angeles” that we all wanted today but the timing of an easier (on paper) game couldn’t come at a more perfect moment. The LA Clippers need a chance to tune up and luckily have the perfect opportunity handed to them.