After a struggling through the first five games of preseason, Brandon Ingram at
last found his rhythm in the Lakers’ exhibition finale.
The 2016 second-overall pick fought through contact at the rim, hit a couple
3-pointers and flashed his vision in transition and half-court sets, ending the
night with 15 points, five assists and a 111-104 victory over the LA Clippers.
It was a much-needed showing for Ingram, who averaged only 9.3 points, 1.3
assists and 31.7 percent shooting entering the game.
“I was more relaxed,” Ingram said. “For me it was just going back, looking at
film. … After you look at (film), I don’t think it’s hard to put the ball in
the hole.”
Ingram was joined at the forefront of the offense by Brook Lopez, who scored 11
of his team-best 16 points in the first quarter alone, putting the Lakers up by
12 after one.
Lopez shot 7-of-12 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers, as head coach
Luke Walton tries to figure out which power forward to pair him with in the
starting lineup for next Thursday’s season opener.
BroLo doing work. #LakeShow
A post shared by Los Angeles Lakers (@lakers) on Oct 13, 2017 at 9:36pm PDT
Walton started Julius Randle — who had 15 points and seven rebounds against the
Clippers — for the first three games of preseason, but switched over to Larry
Nance Jr. for the remaining three.
Nance had four points and seven rebounds on Friday, while Walton said that he
let his emotions get the best of him.
However, Nance’s above-average defense, attention to details and willingness to
sacrifice could result in him starting Thursday’s rematch with the Clippers.
“We have this superstar center that somebody has to mesh with very well
defensively and offensively,” Nance said. “I think that’s what (Luke Walton’s)
been trying to do: just figure out which personality and play style fits best
with Brook.”
Playing with Hart One reason for Lopez’s hot start was the absence of Clippers
All-Star center DeAndre Jordan, who sat out the game along with the majority of
the Clippers’ rotation players, including Blake Griffin and Lou Williams.
Nonetheless, a Clippers squad made largely of rookies and training camp invites
pulled the game within three with five minutes left.
“If I’m being honest, I think when (the Lakers players) hear that all the
Clipper guys are resting, it kinda deflates a little bit,” Walton said, “which
is a B.S. excuse.”
The Lakers then turned to their own rookie, Josh Hart, who delivered like he had
on so many occasions at Villanova.
The First Team All-American scored the Lakers’ next seven points — including
two layups and a step-back jumper — to help seal the win for the purple and
gold.
“He’s tough, man,” Walton said. “He loves to mix it up. … He’s one of those
players you can tell was in college for a lot of years and at a good program,
because he understands the game and understands angles and how to get things
done.”
HIGHLIGHTS: Strong showings by Randle, Lopez, and Ingram lead the Lakers to a
111-104 win over the Clippers. pic.twitter.com/xVCRAxPcVb
Notes Randle left the fourth quarter with back spasms and will be re-evaluated
on Saturday. … Kentavious Caldwell-Pope provided nine points, six rebounds,
five assists and three steals. … Kyle Kuzma shot just 1-of-8, but had eight
points five assists and four rebounds. … Tyrone Wallace (23 points) and Jawun
Evans (22) led the Clippers. … A crowd of 16,711 was on hand at STAPLES
Center.
#LakeShow
A post shared by Lakers Scene (@lakersscene) on Oct 13, 2017 at 7:30pm PDT
Player: Brandon Ingram
Player: Brook Lopez
Player: Larry Nance Jr.
Media Content:
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Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Los Angeles Lakers, Brandon Ingram, Brook Lopez,
Larry Nance Jr., Luke Walton, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers
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Taxonomy: Postgame Wrap, Preseason 2017
Story Link: http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/171013-postgame-wrap-lakers-clippers
