Lakers snap skids, defeat shorthanded Clippers
LOS ANGELES -- Timofey Mozgov and Nick Young scored 19 points as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 111-102 on Sunday.
The Lakers' (12-22) victory broke an 11-game losing streak against the short-handed Clippers (22-10), who were missing Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and lost J.J. Redick to injury during the game. The win also snapped an overall four-game losing streak for the Lakers.
The Lakers shot 47.6 percent (40-84) from the field and used a balanced attack for the victory. Seven Lakers reached double figures in scoring, including Luol Deng, who registered 13 points and 12 rebounds.
The Clippers were led by Redick and Jamal Crawford with 22 points. Redick left the contest after three quarters with a sore left hamstring. The Clippers have lost three of their last five contests.
The Clippers opened the fourth quarter with an 11-0 run to cut the margin to four points with 8:20 in the contest but could get no closer.
The Lakers used a decisive 34-16 third quarter, including a 15-2 spurt in the opening five minutes, to forge a commanding 89-74 lead. The Lakers shot 52 percent (13-25) in the third frame, led by Mozgov's 12 points, including 5 of 6 from the floor. The Lakers defense held the Clippers to only 33.3 percent shooting (6-18) in the quarter.
The Clippers maintained the lead at 58-55 at halftime with Redick tacking on seven points to his strong first quarter to lead the Clippers with 19 points. Young registered 11 points in the quarter, including three 3-pointers to keep the Lakers close after two quarters.
The Clippers took a 31-27 lead after one quarter, led by Redick's 12 points. Both teams shot well in the opening 12 minutes with the Clippers hitting at a 53.8 percent rate (14-27) while the Lakers posted 52.4 percent from the floor (12-22). The Lakers closed out the quarter on a 9-2 run highlighted by Thomas Robinson's buzzer-beater shot.
NOTES: Clippers G Chris Paul was a late scratch after Doc Rivers announced he would start the game in his pre-game press conference. A team spokesperson said Paul's injured hamstring bothered him during warmup and he decided that rest would be best. It's the second straight game Paul has missed after getting injured on Dec. 22 against San Antonio. ... The Clippers continue a grueling pre-2017 stretch against Denver Monday. The Clippers play five games in seven nights including a three-game road trip to New Orleans, Houston and Oklahoma City to finish the year. ... Lakers coach Luke Walton reported F Larry Nance, who was injured Dec. 20 at Charlotte, was examined prior to the game by team physician Dr. David McAllister of UCLA Health. He was diagnosed with a bone bruise on his left knee and is expected to be out approximately four weeks. ... The Lakers continue their five-game homestand against Utah on Tuesday. ... The Lakers entered the game with an 11-game losing streak against the Clippers.