The Los Angeles Clippers cruised their arch-rival Los Angeles Lakers in their most recent game. They couldn’t be more happy, especially head coach Tryonn Lue. The Clippers dominated a 116-102 victory over the Lakers in their first-ever matchup at the Intuit Dome.
After the game, Lue was full of praise for the team’s fans, who created an electric atmosphere and made their presence felt from the start. Lue highlighted how the crowd’s energy, especially their loud boos directed at the Lakers during introductions. According to him, it gave the team a true sense of home-court advantage.
“It was great. It felt like home just from the introductions when they were booing the Lakers and the fans were into it when our guys were introduced. And to start the game, our fans were into it. Not until they made their run, the Laker fans—it wasn’t that many in there—they got kind of loud but other than that, I thought our fans were tremendous. The support was there and like you said, it just feels good to have a place to call home,” Clippers coach Lue said.
He acknowledged that while Lakers fans tried to rally during their team’s fourth-quarter push, the Clippers faithful were unwavering in their support. However, the move to the Intuit Dome has been a game-changer for the Clippers. They finally have an identity separate from their longtime co-tenants, the Lakers. For over two decades, the Clippers shared the Crypto.com Arena. They struggled to establish themselves in the shadow of their more successful counterparts for long.
Tyronn Lue And Company Might Choke Against Chicago Bulls
The Clippers enter Monday’s matchup against the struggling Chicago Bulls riding high on a four-game winning streak. While they are coming off from humbling the Lakers, there are concerns they might stumble without key players.
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Kawhi Leonard will sit out for load management as the team faces a grueling stretch of four games in five days. With Leonard sidelined, the offensive burden will shift to Norman Powell. He has been a steady presence this season, averaging 23.6 points per game.
However, with James Harden also logging heavy minutes and dealing with an illness, the Clippers’ depth will be tested against a Bulls team eager to snap their five-game losing skid. Despite the complexities, coach Lue remains hopeful of the lineup altogether.
Bulls (18-25) continue tumbling below the .500 mark, lose their season-worst fifth game in a row.
— Drew Stevens (@Drew_H_Stevens) January 20, 2025
They’ve now lost to every lottery-bound team save for the Raptors.
The Clippers, who hosted the Lakers tonight, are up next on Monday.
Nine games left until the trade deadline.
“I’m just so proud of our guys for sticking with it and just executing, no matter who’s touching the ball, who’s getting shots. We just have to keep building and keep stacking days,” Lue said.
Despite their struggles, the Bulls pose a legitimate threat. Zach LaVine is finding his rhythm after a challenging, injury-riddled previous season. LaVine, who poured in 27 points against Portland, has been averaging a solid 23.7 points per game. Nikola Vucevic adds a strong interior presence, while the potential return of Lonzo Ball could bolster their backcourt depth.
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