Battle for L.A.

     Before this game, players were asked their opinion on the Lakers-Clippers rivalry. Kobe Bryant said that is was not a rivalry at all, but one day it might be. Well he might be right. One team is 2nd in the West and the other is 11th. And that 11th place team is 0-2 head-to-head this season and is facing a slew of burning questions. But unfortunately for Kobe, his Lakers are in the unfamiliar 11th spot looking up at their Staples Center roommate. But he's wrong. Last night certainly had the look and feel of a rivalry game.
     The Clippers, playing as the home team, looked dominant for three quarters. Then in that fourth quarter, they played like a true contender. Holding off a furious Lakers run, Chris Paul carried the Clips to a 107-102 win. Paul outplayed Kobe with 30 points and 13 dimes as the ball rarely left his hands down the stretch in the fourth. Blake Griffin had a strong first half for the Clippers, throwing down countless dunks against a miserable Lakers transition D.
     Of course Kobe got his points for the Lake Show. He scored 38 and was on fire early in the fourth quarter. Dwight Howard was the other main contributor for the Lakers, but his fouling out with a minute left really hurt their defense and rebounding. Steve Nash had 12 points and 10 assists. This Lakers offense is begging Nash to take more shots though.
     If you were watching the game, you may have wondered about Pau Gasol. Yes, he did play, 27 minutes in fact. But you wouldn't know it from his stats. He had two points and four rebounds. He only played in the fourth quarter after Jordan Hill had to leave the game with a sprained ankle. The Lakers can't even sell high on him anymore after this awful national showing.
     But let's make this about the Clippers. They did win after all and are now 26-8 on the season. Without Jamal Crawford, who matches up well with the Lakers, they still found a way to win. Matt Barnes, Eric Bledsoe and Lamar Odom all got extended minutes off the bench, but every possible void left by Crawford was filled by Paul.
     Paul took more shots than usual, adapting to the needs of his team. Just when the Lakers were threatening, he hit a three-pointer late that really got the Clippers crowd back in the game. He was 6-6 at the line in the fourth. Paul took on Kobe last night and came out a winner.
     Let's end with a few words that are rarely said. Life's good in Clipperland!