LAKERS vs. Clippers Half Time Post

Score: LAC 57 LAL 55

Alright welcome in to the first halftime report for the new format where so far Lob City breaks the deadlock against the Lake Show at the half. So far, the Lakers are just trying to keep pace, they know they can't run with the athleticism of the Clippers, but they're competing without Kobe Bryant.

Let's start off with positives: Pau Gasol, at the half 13 points, 9 rebounds, almost a double-double shooting 50% from the field. Gasol said that he's gonna put the team on his shoulders while Kobe's on the sideline still healing with the achilles and he's backing up his talk. The departure of Howard certainly is making a difference and Gasol is getting what he wished for, more touches in the paint and he's holding on his own against more athletic guys like Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

Another positive, the bench. Oh how we missed Jordan Farmar the last 2-3 seasons and he's helping this Laker bench tune up the tempo and doing a good job keeping CP3 in check. However, the star of the bench, Chris Kaman. Caveman Kaman doing all the cleanup in the paint, scored 10 points, 6 rebounds off the bench. Aside from the embarassing DeAndre Jordan block on his jump shot, Kaman is doing a good job filling in and lining up along with Gasol. Xavier Henry, Shannon Brown 2.0, perfect highlight reel dunk in the first and he's the second leading scorer on the bench with 8. The bench are giving the starter's real breathers and that's a good sign.

On with the negatives, the transition defense. When the Clippers are on the break, 99% all the time it's over either from a 3 ball or a lob and jam. Lakers have got to race back on D and not turn the ball over. Aside from the transition, pick n roll, but what can you expect from CP3? The pick n roll has killed us over the years since Shaq left and it's no surprise especially against an elite point guard like Paul. Overall, we gotta make Lob City not Lob City and it starts with the transition or controlling the ball.

Overall great way to start the 2nd half, trailing by two. The Clippers will be looking to turn on the jets, but if we competed like we did in the 1st half, this could go down to the wire in a very close one and hopefully the Lakers can be on that end for a victory.