Here are the scores, updates, and results of the NBA 2020-2021 Preseason match between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers on December 14, 2020.
After setting a new career-high for points in Lakers’ preseason opener against the same team the last time out, Talen Horton-Tucker steps up and lead his ward anew on Monday (Philippine time), scoring a team-high 33 points on 11-17 shooting from the field and 4-5 shooting from behind the 3-point line, against the Clippers, 131-106.
Aside from Horton-Tucker, who also notched a double-double, grabbing 10 rebounds in the match, five different Lakers also finished the game in double figures, including Kyle Kuzma, Markieff Morris, Montrezl Harrell, Caldwell-Pope, and Quinn Cook.
Kuzma scored 22 points on 7-13 shooting from the field and 3-6 shooting from behind the arc. He also added 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
The Purple and Gold rushed to a 14-point lead in the first quarter itself as Marc Gasol and Quinn Cook played the role of facilitators in the first 12 minutes.
For their part, the dynamic duo of Lebron James and Anthony Davis has yet to play in the NBA preseason.
At this moment, according to Lakers coach Frank Vogel, James and Davis “is not ready yet” to play in regular-season games.
However, Vogel assured fans that when the season starts on December 22 and the Lakers open their NBA championship repeat campaign against the Clippers, Vogel left little doubt that James and Davis will be ready to perform.
“Well, they’re not ready yet, but they will be on the 22nd, and when we’re ready to start games, those guys will be ready to go,” Vogel said on a pregame videoconference from Staples Center.
“But we’ve been trying to strike that balance of easing them in enough while at the same time making sure they’re working to be ready for the beginning of the season. I think they both look really good. They’re probably not ready to play in a regular-season game today, but they’re both in good shape and hopefully can continue to build up to the start of the season,” added Vogel.
Also, Vogel reiterated that he expects James and Davis to play in the Lakers’ exhibition games at Phoenix this Thursday (Philippine time) and again at the Suns on Saturday (Philippine time).
“They’ve been participating heavily in practice, and gonna sit these first two preseason games out. Hopefully (they) play in the final two preseason games, play some in Game 3, and more in Game 4. Get as close as possible to a dress rehearsal leading into the regular season,” said Vogel.
Lou Williams came off the bench to score 12 for the Clippers, while Kawhi Leonard chipped in 11 points.
LA Lakers vs LA Clippers
Quarters:
The scores: 39-29; 70-63; 103-86; 131-106
Lakers (131) – Horton-Tucker 33, Kuzma 25, Harrell 19, Caldwell-Pope 16, Cook 14, Morris 11, Dudley 7, Gasol 6.
Clippers (106) – Williams 12, Leonard 11, Mann 10, Batum 9, George 9, Coffey 8, Ibaka 8, Beverley 6, Zubac 6, Tucker 6, Bowman 5, Ford 4, Oturu 4, Patterson 3, Kabengele 3, Kennard 2, Fitts 0.