LAKERS @ Clippers Halftime Post

Score: LAL 49 LAC 57

Alright welcome in to the halftime post of the game between the Lakers and the Clippers where the Clippers currently hold on to an 8 point lead. First time in a long time in a Lakers-Clippers game, where the Lakers walk into the locker room not getting blown out already.

The Positives

Jordan Hill, 16 points, 5 rebounds, 7-11 shooting. No Kaman, Gasol shut down for the rest of the season. His jump shot is starting to come on the way I'm seeing it this game. He's proving D'Antoni wrong. Like I said, he's not D'Antoni's ideal player, but when you give Hill minutes, he'll produce big time. His post up is decent and his jump shooting form is starting to display improvements this game. This better not be another case where I praise a Laker player for shooting good in the first half and in the second half, they starting falling down.

Nick Young, 17 points, 5-11 shooting. He was starting to hit bad percentage shots down the stretch this game, but Swaggy P has been a constant off the bench. Nothing much to say, when Young is on the floor, defenses are gonna have a huge headache and with Young on the floor after missing the last two meetings, he's giving the Clippers some headache on the defensive end.

The Negatives

Jodie Meeks, 0 points, 0-4 shooting. All I can say is, "come on Meeks!" All game long, he's only had one great look on the three point line, the last three attempts were just bad shots overall or he was trying to force the issue. Meeks needs to play his game, getting open off for a good look and penetrate when needed and hopefully he adjusts in the 2nd half.

Getting back on D. Whenever the Lakers score or miss, once the Clippers get back, it looks like the Lakers are just jogging back. Particularly, they couldn't stop J.J. Redick. When they're on D, they don't look like they're accounting for CP3 or anyone and that's leading to a lot of easy looks, open lanes. If they want to slow down the Clippers' offensive game, they have to get back on D and they have the legs to do that.

Bottom Line

It's a 8 point game, the Lakers need to move the ball and shoot high percentage shots if they want to end this series on a positive note. They've been blown out the last two games, if they don't want to receive a third one, they have to get back on defense and limit the Clippers' shot opportunity and make em earn every shot possible. No lobs, no layups, no open three pointers, none, the Lakers have to let them earn it and it's going to be quite difficult with only 8 players on the active roster.