NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking Points from Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center in the third match up of the season between the two teams. The Clippers won the encounter 113-105 and look increasingly likely to make the playoffs this year.

The Lakers with the loss have dropped 5.5 games back of the final playoff spot and hold a 30-34 win-loss record. They have now dropped three consecutive games and 5 out of the last six matches.

The Clippers hold a 37-29 record and the seventh spot in the Western Conference playoff standings. They also hold a 2-1 series advantage over the Lakers this season.

This was a catastrophic result for the Los Angeles Lakers as the Clippers were a team that they were directly chasing for the playoff spot. It seems that for the first time a LeBron James led team is going to miss the playoffs since the 2004-05 season.

Here are the top 3 talking points from the game.

#3 Shooting struggles for the Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers struggled shooting the basketball

The Lakers struggled shooting the basketball for the entire night. None of the Lakers players found the shooting spot.

The Lakers shot only 41.8% from the field and a very poor 26.3% from the 3-point line. The Clippers shot the ball far better on the night and that proved the difference.

Rajon Rondo was the only Laker who had a good impact on the offensive end. He had a triple-double finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists on 10-18 shooting from the field. LeBron James also finished with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists but he was very quiet on the offensive end and didn't look his usual self.

The Lakers need to win a lot of matches going forward if they want to have any chance of restoring their season.

#2 Great display from Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams

Lou Williams has been very good for the Clippers

Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams put in great displays for the Clippers. Both have been very consistent for the Clippers and provided the team with genuine offensive threats.

Danilo Gallinari scored 23 points on the night on 9-15 shooting from the floor and 3-5 from the 3-point line. Lou Williams continued his scorching form from the bench. He scored 21 points and also dished out 5 assists for the match.

Gallinari has been averaging 19 points per game for the season and also shoots 43% from the 3-point line. Williams has been especially good in the fourth quarter and he is the team's leading scorer averaging 19.8 points per game for the season.

The Clippers haven't missed a beat despite trading their best player in Tobias Harris. They have in fact improved on the defensive end and are the 10th most efficient defensive team in the league since the trade deadline.

#1 Lack of energy and focus from the Lakers

Los Angeles Clippers v Los Angeles Lakers

In an almost must-win match for the Lakers, the team again failed to show up. They didn't look like a team that was desperate for the win.

The Lakers lacked the energy that the Clippers displayed. They lagged behind in almost all the departments. The Clippers outrebounded the Lakers 50-40 and also had the advantage on the offensive glass. The Lakers failed miserably on the defensive end. They lacked proper communication and gave plenty of open looks to their opponents.

The Lakers have also been a mess because of the injuries. Brandon Ingram who has been in very good form in recent games missed this important match. Lonzo Ball has missed the last 14 games and Lakers went 4-10 in his absence. They miss him desperately because of his defensive capabilities.

LeBron James was again left frustrated and it is becoming increasingly clear that even he might not be able to get this team into the playoffs this year.