The Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers in many ways had similar weeks last week. Both won two of their three games, and both picked up their second road victory of the season on Sunday. The Clippers are ranked the No. 4 team in the latest SB Nation power rankings by Tom Ziller, while the Lakers are rated No. 14 The Oklahoma City Thunder, winners of four straight games, are rated No. 1 and in town to face the Clippers Monday night.
The Clippers and Lakers were ranked No. 15 and No. 16, respectively, last week.
"You can't understate the Clippers' huge win in Denver on Sunday," wrote Ziller. "While the L.A. offense looked discombobulated late against the Lakers this week, Chris Paul showed that he's the smartest player in the league with the ball in his hands in Denver."
Meanwhile, Ziller was down on the Lakers, who beat the Clippers at home last week. "The Lakers rarely look powerful enough to walk away from any opponent, and last year's playoff dismissal simply hasn't been dismissed enough to renew faith in the West power," said Ziller.
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