LAKERS @ Clippers Halftime Post

Score: LAL 39 LAC 50

Alright welcome in to the halftime post of the Lakers' hallway matchup vs. the Clippers where the Clippers have a 39-50 advantage over the Lakers heading into the half.

(+)

Competitive spirit. I'm not going to note a single player, but as a team, the Lakers did alright holding the Clippers to an 11 point lead. They're doing a decent job defensively, the only stinger is that the team couldn't stop J.J. Redick. J.J. Redick is what's helping the Clippers separating themselves from the Lakers right now in a double digit lead. Other than that, the Lakers are giving the Clippers a run for their money so far with the competitive effort they've put up in that 1st half.

(-)

Field goal percentage. Like I said before, the effort is there, it's just that the shots are not hitting. The Lakers are shooting 30% from the field. After a jump start from Lin to get the offense going, the offense couldn't hit squat. The key to keep pace at the Clippers is shooting a high percentage shot and if they shoot a low percentage shot, the Clippers will go for a quick strike on fast break points. They contained the fast break and limited the points in transition, the Lakers need to shoot at a high percentage shot and it's not working out for them.

Ryan Kelly, 2 points, 1-12 shooting. His only field goal: off an aggressive dunk. His previous field goals, a missed three, another missed three, a missed shot in transition. Most of those shots Kelly missed were high percentage shots and he's not taking advantage of any of them. It's just a cold shooting night so far for Kelly and he's not playing like that spot up shooter stretch 4 because he looks really unconfident with his shot out there.

(Bottom Line)

The Lakers have to keep competing out there and just avoid being thrashed again like on Sunday. Even though a victory is unlikely, the key is to make this a game worth watching on National TV. However, if opportunity strikes and the Clippers start missing a lot of shots and someone for the Lakers step up or if Jordan Clarkson catches fire, the Lakers may have a chance. Let's see what happens.