Ugly Is Beautiful: Thoughts On The Lakers' Victory Over The Clippers

At long last, the Lakers got some three-pointers to fall. Just as important to their long-term prospects are the reappearance of Classic Pau Gasol and a turn toward physical, even nasty, play.

Lakers Vs. Clippers Video Highlights: Blake Griffin Stars As Usual

The Los Angeles Lakers won the game, but Blake Griffin owned the highlight reels as usual even in a losing effort for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Griffin showed he could be a tough cover by going to the fadeaway to beat the larger Andrew Bynum.

(via FunkyAxel11)

Then Griffin had a one-on-one with Pau Gasol and found the baseline, then found the basket with a double-pump.

Blake's Double-Pump Dunk (via NBA)

Then Griffin went one-on-one with Gasol, and proved he could torture him quite adequately.

Blake's Circus Shot (via NBA)

The Lakers also forgot to box out Blake.

Nobody Blocked Out Blake? (via NBA)

Metta World Peace doesn't seem to think much of Reggie Evans according to this little exchange.

(via nbavideosnow2)

Mo Williams with a flagrant foul of Andrew Goudelock. The result did not seem to please Goudelock.

To talk about the Lakers fans, check out Silver Screen and Roll. To discuss Clippers fans, go to Clips Nation.

VIDEO: Chris Paul-Pau Gasol Incident; CP3 Calls The Spaniard 'Soft'

Lakers Beat Clippers 96-91 In Battle For Los Angeles

Kobe Bryant didn't have his greatest performance tonight for the Los Angeles Lakers. He had 24 points on 17 shots, and also had seven points and six assists, but hemorrhaged the ball with seven turnovers. Bryant needed other good performances from his teammates, and he got them.

Pau Gasol lodged a double-double with 23 points on 13 shots and 10 rebounds. Andrew Bynum had 19 points, six rebounds and four blocks (including a crucial basket-block sequence in the final minute). Metta World Peace had seven assists, five rebounds, two steals and one block, Derek Fisher hit three threes, and Andrew Goudelock had 14 points.

In his first action back from a hamstring injury he suffered against these same Lakers, Chris Paul logged 12 assists. Blake Griffin provided 26 points and nine assists. Caron Butler and Mo Williams had 16 points each.

To talk about the result with Lakers fans, head to Silver Screen and Roll. To talk about the result with Clippers fans, check out Clips Nation.

Clippers Vs. Lakers Score: Blake Griffin, Caron Butler Puts Clips Up 51-49

Chris Paul returned to action and facilitated things up for the Los Angeles Clippers in their rematch with the Los Angeles Lakers. CP3 had only two points, but piled up seven assists to help get his teammates action. Caron Butler had 13 points and Blake Griffin had 12, with Mo Williams adding eight off the bench.

Pau Gasol is leading the Lakers with 7 of 9 shooting and 17 points, with Andrew Goudelock adding 10 points off the bench by nailing all four of his shots. Andrew Bynum had 9 and Kobe Bryant added 8 points. The Lakers are shooting better than 50% from the field, but the Clippers have a few more FTs and FG attempts along with slightly better rebounding and ball control (less turnovers overall).

To discuss the game with Clippers fans, head to Clips Nation. To talk about the game with Lakers fans, go to Silver Screen and Roll.

Lakers-Clippers Tickets Actually Reasonably Affordable

Believe it or not, it's cheaper to go to this game hosted by the Lakers than games hosted by the Clippers.

Lakers Vs. Clippers: Game Time, TV Info And More

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers do battle again Wednesday night at Staples Center, in the second of three meetings between the crosstown rivals. Chris Paul is expected back for the Clippers after missing five games with a strained left hamstring. Here are the relevant details of Wednesday night's battle of LA:

Records: Clippers (9-5, first in Pacific Division, third in Western Conference); Lakers (10-8, second in Pacific, 10th in West)

Location: Staples Center, with the Lakers as the home team

Time: 7:30 p.m. PST

TV: Fox Sports West (Lakers broadcast) and Prime Ticket (Clippers broadcast)

Offensive Efficiency: Clippers, 106.2 points per 100 possessions (seventh in NBA); Lakers, 101.8 (17th)

Defensive Efficiency: Lakers, 99.7 (eighth); Clippers, 104.8 (23rd)

Home Sweet Home: The Lakers are 9-2 at home this season, and had a nine-game home winning streak snapped on Sunday night. The Lakers are 9-3 at Staples Center this season, including a loss to the Clippers on January 14. The home team in this series has won four straight games and nine of the last 10 contests.

Staples Sweet Staples: The Clippers are 8-2 at home this season, and are 24-9 (.727) in their last 33 games at Staples Center, dating back to last season, which includes a pair of road losses to the Lakers; during that same span, the Lakers are 27-10 (.730) at Staples Center, which also includes two road losses to the Clippers.

Chasing History: The Lakers and Clippers play three times this season. If the Clippers win tonight or on April 4 (a Clippers home game), they will win the season series against the Lakers for just the third time in franchise history. The 1992-1993 Clippers won three of five against the Lakers, and the 1974-1975 Buffalo Braves won all four contests against the Lakers.

For more news and notes on both teams, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll and Clips Nation.

Lakers Vs. Clippers Game Preview: Chris Paul, Pau Gasol Ones To Watch

The Los Angeles Lakers look to snap a three-game losing streak Wednesday night as they host the Los Angeles Clippers in the second of three battles for Staples Center this season. This is a designated home game for the Lakers, their only home game of the three meetings with the Clippers this season.

If the Clippers win on Wednesday, they will clinch the season series against the Lakers for just the third time in their history. The 1992-1993 Clippers won three of five games against the Lakers, and the 1974-1975 Buffalo Braves beat the Lakers in all four meetings.

Chris Paul is expected to return to the Clippers after missing five games with a strained left hamstring. Paul last played against the Lakers on January 14, scoring 33 points and dishing out six assists in a 102-94 Clipper victory.

More: Clippers-Lakers game preview

For the Lakers, their offense has been an issue, having failed to score 100 points in 17 of 18 games this season. They have scored under 100 in 11 straight games and averaged just 86 points in their last five games, which include four losses. Pau Gasol, who has been more of a jump shooter, wants the ball more in the post.

"I would like to get a little more inside, myself," Gasol told Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times after Sunday's loss to Indiana. "I always like to have different looks and be able to attack from different angles, and in the second half I didn't have one chance to attack from the post."

The Lakers are 9-2 at home this season, but 9-3 at Staples Center. The Clippers are 8-2 in the building this season, and have won 24 of their last 31 home games dating back to last season.

Wednesday night's 7:30 p.m. PST contest will be televised by both Fox Sports West (Lakers) and Prime Ticket (Clippers). For more news and notes on both teams, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll and Clips Nation.

Chris Paul Injury: Game-time Decision For Clippers Vs. Lakers

The rematch between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers might be without one of the league's premier superstars. Chris Paul has been out for quite some time nursing the hamstring issue he suffered in the first meeting with the Lakers, and it might keep him out of this one as he hasn't

No one will know until tomorrow night, as Vinny del Negro will make a judgment call around that time. Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Clippers guard Chris Paul, who missed the last five games with a strained left hamstring, said it will be a game-time decision whether he'll play in Wednesday night’s game against the Lakers at Staples Center.

Paul said after practice Tuesday that he has improved each day, but that Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro wants to see how his All-Star guard feels after shoot-around Wednesday before they make a decision.

The Clippers have stayed afloat without Paul, but it's likely they'll need him on Wednesday to try and take advantage of the huge weakness the Lakers are now showing at point guard. Otherwise the issue will probably be disguised with Mo Williams and Chauncey Billups handling primary point responsibilities. The Clippers need Paul back as soon as possible.

To discuss CP3 and the Clippers, head on over to Clips Nation.