If you told the Los Angeles Clippers before the season started that theyd have no Kawhi Leonard, lose Paul George for an extended period, miss several others at different times often simultaneously due to illness and injury, and still be in with a shot of making the playoffs, I think theyd have taken it. In the face of all kinds of mitigating circumstances, this squad can be pretty pleased with where theyre at, or at the very least proud of how much heart and fight theyve shown. This season has been a strange one for franchises up and down the league, and the Western Conference is now starting to take shape after the halfway point Jason Preston Jersey. The playoff locks may be starting to think theyre all but settled now, while three teams currently residing in the play-in tournament places may be beginning to feel that theyre there to stay. Two of those just so happen to also reside on either half of the arena formerly known as STAPLES Center. It arguably shouldnt have been this way. The Los Angeles Lakers were supposed to be building a team of talented veterans around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and though some critics wouldve had their doubts about exactly how it would look as it came together, there were few who couldve predicted the extreme highs and lows theyve witnessed so far this campaign. Though theyve taken on a completely new look to the squad that went all the way in The Bubble, the addition of a star like Russell Westbrook was designed to help Bron and AD get them back into contention. It hasnt worked out that way so far, with the Lakers currently sitting ninth in the Western Conference standings and all but out of the race for a guaranteed playoff spot. Injuries and illnesses have crippled them, with Jamess aging body starting to catch up with him, Davis continuing to suffer from various ailments, and the supporting cast not being able to get it done Ivica Zubac Jersey. Their offensive rating of 108. 5 puts them at 23rd in the NBA, with their 17th-placed 110. 2 seeing them even out at 21st with -1. 7. Statistically speaking, theyve had similar problems to the Clippers, with high turnovers, low rebounding numbers and inconsistencies in their ability to score the ball. Unlike their city counterparts though, the Clippers can look back on their last eight road games and take some real positives back home. Ty Lues team finished their spell 4-4, while the Lakers finished 2-4 on their slightly smaller trip away on top of losing in both Sacramento and Denver just prior to that. There were still some questionable moments and things to work on for the coaching staff on this side of L. A, such as the number of defensive breakdowns in their loss to the Indiana Pacers last time out, but theyll be able to look back and beam about their massive comeback wins in Philadelphia and Washington. "For eight games in fourteen day, I thought our guys battled and competed every single night. " -Coach Ty Lue on the long road trip stretch. LA Clippers February 2, 2022These two teams wont feel like theyre out of anything yet, and theyll both know just how quickly things can change in this crazy season. However, this matchup feels like a big moment for the gaining of momentum as we move deeper into the back end of this campaign https://www.lacprostore.com/Luke_Kennard_Jersey-21. The ongoing absence of James will give the Clippers hope, but theyve been thriving on the bigger stage recently and wouldve relished the challenge either way. Theyll have to capitalize on this one especially if the Lakers do come into this one even more banged up. Time keeps ticking and the margin for error gets smaller and smaller. The message for both is clear, though. Make the playoffs, by hook or by crook, and worry about the rest later.