Tomorrow’s battle for Los Angeles features some pretty big stakes. With both teams tied at 38 losses, whoever wins the game will likely succeed in avoiding the play-in tournament.
While it’s technically an away game for the Lakers, Clippers big man Ivica Zubac had no problem admitting that Los Angeles belongs to his former team.
“Ivica Zubac called it a ‘Laker Town,’ noting that the Lakers have “a lot more fans” and adding that there’s more spotlights on the Lakers than the Clippers,” wrote Clippers beat writer Justin Russo. “However, Zubac went on to say that he wouldn’t change anything with where he’s at right now.”
Of course, anybody who lives in Southern California will confirm that the city bleeds Purple and Gold. Despite years of campaigning and building their own stadium in Inglewood, the Clippers are still secondary to the Lakers, who have a long history of stardom and success.
This season, both teams have struggled to separate themselves from the pack, but that could change if they find a spark for the postseason.
Which L.A. Team Will Have A Longer Playoff Run?
With Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and a deep supporting cast, the Clippers are probably the better team on paper, and they are the more well-rounded crew from top to bottom. But this Lakers team is also deep following February’s big trades, and we’ve already seen what the AD/LeBron James duo can accomplish when healthy.
This season, while both teams have a chance to survive to the end, it’s the Lakers who look like the biggest threat.
“The Lakers are winning the whole damn thing,” said Nick Wright. “LeBron gets ring number five, and Anthony Davis reclaims the respect so many of you have taken from him. My guy Colin Cowherd was trying to trade him all over the place. Here’s the situation, nobody wants to play them. Since the All-Star break, and LeBron missed some of that time, they’ve been one of the best teams in the entire conference. Second only to the (Sacramento Kings).”
For now, the Clippers are still the underdogs in the West and in their own city. But they’ll have a chance to send a statement on Wednesday that could make things very interesting in this final stretch of the season.
Source: fadeawayworld
