Lakers-Clippers: Rebounding Battleground
It’s March 2026, and the battle for Los Angeles still feels like a heavyweight bout, even on a Tuesday night. The Lakers, sitting third in the Western Conference at 37-21, are riding a four-game win streak, including a dominant 128-109 performance against the Kings last Friday where LeBron James dropped 32 points and 10 assists. Thing is, the Clippers, just two spots behind at 35-23, have been equally hot, winning six of their last seven, their only loss coming in a tight 115-113 contest against the Nuggets last week when Nikola Jokic hit a game-winner at the buzzer.
This rivalry always delivers, and tonight at the Crypto.com Arena, it’s going to come down to who controls the boards. The Lakers are averaging 46.1 rebounds per game, good for fifth in the league, largely thanks to Anthony Davis, who’s pulling down 12.8 boards a night. He had 17 rebounds in their last outing against the Suns, a 108-102 victory.
And then you’ve got the Clippers, who aren't far behind at 44.9 rebounds, placing them ninth. Ivica Zubac has been a monster for them, averaging 9.5 rebounds. He grabbed 14 against the Mavericks in their recent 120-111 win. Real talk, this isn't just about scoring; it's about possession, and that starts with the rebound.
Kawhi's Mid-Range Mastery vs. LeBron's Playmaking
When these two teams last met in December, the Lakers pulled out a 112-104 victory. Davis had a huge game with 30 points and 15 rebounds, while Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The Clippers typically lean on their isolation offense, especially with Leonard and Paul George. Leonard's mid-range game remains one of the most unguardable things in the NBA; he's hitting 52% from that area this season, a career-high. George, meanwhile, is averaging 24.5 points and 5.8 assists, and just had a 35-point explosion against the Grizzlies.
But the Lakers’ offensive flow is different. They run a more free-flowing system under Darvin Ham, with LeBron James acting as the primary initiator. James is still putting up incredible numbers at 39 years old, averaging 26.3 points and 8.7 assists. He's shooting 40% from three-point range this year, which is a big bump from his career average. D'Angelo Russell has also found his rhythm, contributing 18.2 points and 6.5 assists, and just had a 25-point, 8-assist game against the Warriors.
Here's the thing: the Clippers’ defense, particularly their perimeter defense, is stellar, allowing opponents to shoot just 33.8% from beyond the arc, which is third-best in the league. They make you earn every point. The Lakers, however, are adept at getting to the free-throw line, averaging 22.5 attempts per game, with Davis drawing 7.1 fouls per 100 possessions.
The Paint Battle: AD vs. Zubac and the Second Unit
The individual matchup between Anthony Davis and Ivica Zubac is going to dictate a lot. Davis is a more versatile scorer and defender, but Zubac is a legitimate force on the glass and an underrated rim protector. He's averaging 1.3 blocks per game this season. The Lakers will try to exploit Zubac's relative lack of mobility by pulling him out of the paint with pick-and-rolls involving Davis or even James.
And let's not forget the benches. The Lakers' second unit has been surprisingly effective this season, with Austin Reaves leading the charge. Reaves is averaging 14.5 points and 4.1 assists, and he often provides a spark with his aggressive drives. The Clippers’ bench, however, has been a bit more inconsistent, though Norman Powell can go off for 20 points on any given night, as he did against the Jazz last week.
My hot take? The Clippers are a bit too reliant on Leonard and George to create everything. If the Lakers can lock in defensively on those two, forcing other players like Terance Mann or Russell Westbrook to make plays, they'll have a real advantage. The Lakers' defense, particularly when Davis is engaged, is capable of shutting down even the best offenses; they held the Celtics to just 98 points in a big road win earlier this month.
Tactical Prediction
The Lakers will look to push the pace early, trying to get easy buckets in transition before the Clippers can set their half-court defense. Expect a heavy dose of Anthony Davis in the post, especially if Zubac gets into foul trouble. The Clippers, on the other hand, will try to slow the game down, running their patented isolation plays and leaning on the mid-range brilliance of Leonard and George. They'll also crash the offensive glass hard, looking for second-chance points.
The game will be decided in the fourth quarter. The Lakers will ultimately out-rebound the Clippers by at least five boards, and a late surge from D'Angelo Russell will seal the deal.