Play by play analysis of Clippers vs Lakers Season opener game

Los Angeles Lakers Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, right, collides with Los Angeles Clippers Reggie Jackson, left, during an NBA basketball game Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)

Lakers and Clippers played their first game last night for the restart of the NBA.  Before the series was postponed, the Lakers were number one in the west with Clippers following right behind.  The Lakers record was 49-14 and Clippers 6 games shy of losses with a record of 44-20.

7-foot  Javele McGee started the game off with a jump hook off of LeBron missed shot for two. Lebron started off the first few minutes with three assists keeping up his title of being the number one in assist for the season continues. Anthony Davis scored six points within the first few minutes; score 7-11, Lakers leading. Clippers were not dominating at the three-point line in the first quarter but were coasting through the Lakers offense with interior defense causing a show of steals and blocks in the first quarter. Clippers began to heat upbringing the score deficit up before the second quarter. George, Jackson, and Kawhi was leading with points for their team starting off the game.

Kuzma ended off the quarter with a  driving layup in the paint with a miss but a foul. He made both free throws capping the Lakers lead by 12 going into the second quarter with a score of 23-35.

Starting off the 2nd quarter, 35-year-old Lebron ignited with a massive dunk with a foul to make this play a three-point possession. Kawhi playing only 8 minutes had been to the free-throw line for six possessions already diminishing the 13 points lead to just five halfway in the quarter.  At the 4 minute mark, the score is 46/51, Lakers still leading.  Clippers with 11 turnovers were still not been playing exceptionally well at the three-point line. The Lakers problem area was at the free-throw line scoring only about 41% of their shots. Lakers still leading as the quarter ended with 52-54.

The third quarter was more intense offensively on both sides and the Clippers ended up taking the lead by 11. Lakers were in a scoring drought starting off, but LeBron ended that with a wide-open three. Lakers are only 4/19 pass the arc this game. By the 3 minutes mark, Lakers began to use more playstyle and less force driven shots to decrease the momentum on the Clippers gaining a small lead or tie-up. The battle of the lead started at the 1 minute left as the Lakers tied the score 74-74.

By the 4th quarter, the intensity continued but now on defense. Lakers lead at five by the 8:05 mark with a Three from Kuzma.  Lakers had a 15-3 run in the last three minutes now leading with 11 again. The score is now 101-103, with 12 seconds left. Clippers have the ball, and its inbounded to Kahwi, who passes to George. Lebron clutches down on Lenard, forcing the ball possession. Paul George decided to shoot up a force three in hopes of a foul, but the ball missed off the glass, causing the lakers the first W for the season starter.

Players have had the option to have specific phrases approved by the NBA commission that shows their viewpoint on the fight for justice and equality of 2020.  There have been phrases placed on uniforms like say their names, how many more, am I enough, I am a man, education reform, black lives matter (which is also placed on the court), and other variations. The NBA is also airing commercials during breaks of players protesting, coaches, and staff on the topic of black lives matter,  the victims who have been murdered in the hands of white police officers while keeping people updated on the seriousness of the coronavirus, and voting.

The NBA  is officially back, and there have been massive changes like an NBA bubble, no fans present, smaller arena with minimum staff, and differences in rosters. It is an adjustment to “a whole new game” for players and fans, but this does not take away from the continuing inequality fight. These games are not dissolving the more prominent picture and movement happening every day.