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00:00where the sports landscape continues to produce.
00:04The Dodgers with another headline signing.
00:07The Rams are one win away from the Super Bowl.
00:10And the two NBA teams set to meet for a third time this season
00:15with a cavalcade of stars.
00:18Some of the league's biggest names ready to go
00:21as NBA Rivals Week rolls into Los Angeles.
00:30Welcome, everyone, to NBA on Prime Tip-Off.
00:35The Lakers have the seventh-best record in the league.
00:38The Clippers have surged after a poor start.
00:41And tonight, these two teams meet,
00:44having split the season series so far.
00:50Welcome, everyone, to Southern California.
00:52Kevin Harlan with the two greats next to me,
00:54Candace Parker and Dwayne Wade.
00:56We'll check in with our sideline reporter, Allie Clifton,
00:59in just a matter of moments.
01:01Luka Doncic, the trade from Dallas to the Lakers,
01:04is about a year old.
01:05And, boy, is he playing well in one year in a Laker uniform.
01:09And if you can believe it, Luka the Don is having another career year.
01:14Leading the league in scoring, he's making it simple.
01:18That's the thing with Luka.
01:19He's scoring or assisting on 54 points per game.
01:22But he's getting to the free-throw line at 11.5 per game.
01:26When Luka's on his game, he plays at his own pace,
01:29and he creates space for his teammates.
01:31Yeah, Candace, look, Luka dictates when the game slows.
01:34What I love about Luka is two things.
01:36He knows when to hunt.
01:37That shows when he scores 20 points a game in the first half.
01:40But he also knows when to facilitate to his teammates,
01:43making sure that other guys can get going.
01:45And our Allie Clifton.
01:48Congratulations.
01:49This week, obviously, you earned your sixth All-Star nod.
01:51But for the first time in your career, leading All-Star vote getter.
01:55I know you're humbled by it.
01:56Has it sunk in?
01:56What does it mean to you?
01:57Yeah, I mean, it means a lot.
01:59Like I said before, the other day you asked me that question.
02:02You know, I'm very honored.
02:03You know, it came a long way.
02:05So I'm very honored, and I want to thank again everybody.
02:08Has it sunk in yet?
02:09I mean, yeah, a little bit.
02:11You know, obviously, it's going to sunk in after.
02:13I mean, probably before All-Star break, you know, we're still competing now.
02:18We've got a long road trip, some kind of focus on that.
02:21But obviously, it sunk up, sunk in a little bit.
02:24Transitioning to some history.
02:25Today marks 20 years since Kobe dropped a cool 81.
02:28You were just seven, as we just discussed.
02:30What is it, though, as you come close, 73 points yourself a couple of years ago,
02:35when you hear that from Kobe of 81, what do you think about?
02:37I mean, that's pretty amazing.
02:3981 is very tough to get.
02:41And, you know, can't believe it's been 20 years.
02:44So, you know, just being part of the organization, he was part of it means a lot.
02:49Look, I appreciate the time.
02:50Good luck tonight.
02:52As we're alluding to 20 years ago tonight, Kobe with 81.
02:56That'll be a theme throughout our broadcast here in Los Angeles tonight.
02:59Now for the Clippers.
03:00And what a story they've written after a very rough start, Dwayne.
03:04They've won 13 of 16, playing so well.
03:08Why the turnaround?
03:10Well, I don't know if you just saw.
03:11I got to stop right here on James Harden on this three-pointer that he just shot right here.
03:15But they have had the turnaround because of road clarity.
03:19And also, too, the defense have become their foundation.
03:22But James Harden, he has a lot of abilities.
03:25To me, his best ability is always his availability.
03:28Even after 17 years, he puts on that jersey every night to play the game he loves.
03:33He is going up the scoring charts.
03:35But what I love most about James Harden is the same as what I love about Luka.
03:39Is he creates for his teammates to make the game easier for them.
03:43And on the other side, Kawhi is back after a three-game absence with injury.
03:48And, boy, what Kawhi is doing during this streak.
03:51Look at those numbers in those 13 games.
03:53But how he's doing it, he's taking and making more threes.
03:57And when you have two players that are defensive disadvantage creators,
04:02it puts the defense on their heels and it allows his other players on a team to eat.
04:07How lucky are we tonight?
04:09Both Kawhi and Harden and LeBron and Luka head-to-head.
04:13The stars are out tonight in Hollywood.
04:16It's the Clippers hosting the Lakers.
04:19This is the NBA on Prime.
04:27Well, it's there you see the statue outside Crypto downtown of Kobe Bryant.
04:35That was the night he scored the 81, the historic night.
04:39And these are some of the pictures from that night.
04:4320 years ago tonight, January 22nd.
04:46And Kobe was on fire with Dwayne Wade, an unbelievable second half of scoring.
04:53Well, just incredible.
04:54I think we all have that where were we moment.
04:57When you think about this 81-point performance, I remember being at a restaurant in Prime 112.
05:03And once Kobe got to about 60, the whole restaurant started going crazy.
05:07And all I know is I watched the last 15 points with everybody at the bar cheering,
05:12just being a fan of knowing that we were watching something that we will not see again and again.
05:17And so just an incredible performance by Kobe.
05:20And it's something that we kind of expect.
05:22When you think about Kobe Bryant, if it's one person that would go off and score 81, it's that guy.
05:27But both of you have had these big, giant, and that's a look at the shot chart.
05:31And here are the numbers below Kobe right now.
05:35And look at number two there, Luka Doncic at 23.
05:39I mean, to be in a zone like that, Candice, you've had games like that, Dwayne.
05:43You've had multiple, like, it's almost indescribable, isn't it?
05:47Because everything's got to be in your mind, in your vision, in everything, just like insane.
05:53What's crazy is Kobe went back and watched this game years later and live tweeted.
05:58And one of the things he said was, I missed too many easy shots to start the game.
06:02I could have had 100 points.
06:05So that's the mentality of Kobe Bryant.
06:07That's why he's so great.
06:08And that's why this record lives.
06:09We're celebrating Bryant.
06:11We're celebrating the NBA halfway through the season.
06:14Coming up, the Battle of L.A., Lakers-Clippers.
06:19Clippers and the Lakers.
06:20Now, a little over a month ago, the Clippers were 6-21.
06:23They have gone 13-3 since then.
06:25A big reason for that is Kawhi Leonard, who is back in tonight's game.
06:29Besides him playing lights out, what's been the difference for this team?
06:33Well, Kawhi, it starts for him, I think, both ends of the floor.
06:36He leads them offensively.
06:37Big-time buckets in the clutch.
06:39Whenever you need a bucket, you can always go to him.
06:41He'll get a good shot.
06:42And defensively, like, what a difference to your defense, having a Kawhi Leonard on the team.
06:45But they've improved in every category.
06:47So it's not just Kawhi.
06:49Yeah, I think Jordan Miller's been a bright spot for them as well.
06:51And this team can use some youth, some guys that can get out and run.
06:55He's had five straight games in double figures.
06:57So just having guys that can throw in on this run as well to help, you know,
07:00stop the bleeding or just get out and transition has been helpful for them.
07:04Big Zoo.
07:05Big Zoo down there in the paint.
07:06Once again, I say he's your favorite center, favorite center.
07:08Averaging about 15-11, guards the paint.
07:10He never plays outside of himself.
07:12He always plays within himself.
07:14And he's one of those guys that you can depend on every night,
07:16as long as he's in the lineup and he's healthy.
07:18And, Dirk, just offensively, what we're seeing Kawhi do,
07:2020 for 34 from three in his last four.
07:22His shot above 50% from three in four straight.
07:26Yeah, it's been an incredible run.
07:28And it's been fun to watch him being aggressive, getting his shot.
07:31We all know he knows how to get through spots.
07:33He can elevate.
07:34He's got the long arms and the high release.
07:36He can get a shot up at any time.
07:37But I'm going to give some love to James Harden,
07:40who's been there, constant point all year.
07:42He never takes a night off.
07:44He's averaging 26-8 on the season.
07:46He's not shooting the ball great from three,
07:48but he's just a constant for them, win or lose.
07:51He's always there, ready to compete.
07:53And so he's having a good year.
07:55Maybe for a turnaround, all you need is Ty Lue,
07:57a good Ty Lue quote.
07:58So you're going to win it.
07:59Go ahead.
08:00Can Kawhi keep it up?
08:02Can Kawhi keep it up?
08:04They're going to need him to keep it up.
08:05And that's the only thing I think about further down the line
08:07as they finish out this season.
08:08Can Kawhi keep that up?
08:09We'll keep our eye on that.
08:11Tip-off is just ahead.
08:12We'll get you out to the game right after this.
08:18They couldn't guard anyone.
08:24I mean, so much power in that Ty Lue quote,
08:26saying they had to win the rest of their games.
08:28They were 13-3 ever since that.
08:31But you also point to the brilliance of James Hardender.
08:33Yeah, he's been so solid all season, 26-8.
08:37He's not shooting a three-ball great,
08:39but he's a constant for that team.
08:42He always plays.
08:43He always competes.
08:44And he gives them a chance to win and compete every night.
08:47Yeah, and one thing about James is,
08:48as much of a scorer he is, he's also a playmaker.
08:50He'll get in the paint, he'll make the right decisions,
08:52and he'll get other guys involved.
08:54So that's one thing he does well, whether he's scoring or not.
08:56All right, L.A. versus L.A.
08:58Always a good time.
08:59All right, right now, let's send it on out to our friends
09:02at the Intuit Dome.
09:03We are ready to rock and roll here.
09:1920 years ago, we watched a man walk into the night
09:23and leave with history.
09:26He didn't ask for permission.
09:28He didn't wait for the moment.
09:30He became the man.
09:3181 points.
09:35Not luck, not a hot streak.
09:38A storm of focus, footwork, fury, a masterpiece.
09:44And an 81-point game.
09:47Tonight, we don't chase the past.
09:50We honor it.
09:51Because you never know when ordinary becomes legendary.
09:55We get emotional just looking at those pictures.
10:04Welcome to AWS Rivals Week on Prime.
10:08Presented by Wingstop.
10:10Celebrating Kobe Bryant.
10:12Of course, another Laker great, Magic Johnson.
10:15And we're inside the home of the Clippers,
10:19where the Lakers come to play.
10:20And this is the third meeting between these two teams this season.
10:24Each has won once.
10:26And we've got the third game tonight.
10:28Kevin Harlan, courtside, with the great Candace Parker,
10:31the great Dwayne Wade, Allie Clifton.
10:34You just saw her talking to Luka Doncic moments ago,
10:37filling us in from the sidelines.
10:39And it just goes to show you, 81 Kobe, 20 years ago tonight,
10:43it can happen anytime, anywhere.
10:45And with the four big names we've got in this game,
10:48it could happen something like that tonight.
10:50Well, we definitely know it could happen with Luka.
10:52Yeah.
10:52For sure.
10:53We would love to be here when it happened.
10:55I mean, you're talking about a Laker team right now.
10:57As we all say, this is a group that did not have a training camp together
11:01with LeBron and Luka and their entire team home.
11:03We're watching the team now develop their game,
11:06both officially and defensively.
11:07All right, now tonight's starting lineups presented by Disney Cruise Line.
11:13Let's begin with the Lakers,
11:15and it begins with the top scorer in the NBA, Luka Doncic.
11:18Yeah, Luka Doncic, as Candace called him, he's the Don.
11:22As I talked about earlier, Luka Doncic, he knows how to control the game.
11:26He plays at his own pace,
11:27and it allows for him to control what the first half is going to feel like
11:31and also to, when his teammates have opportunities to be aggressive,
11:35he also can do that as well.
11:36And on the other side, Kawhi Leonard is back.
11:40He was the catalyst in this 13 games that got the Clippers back on track,
11:45back climbing the ranks of 10th in the West,
11:48and he does that on both ends of the floor.
11:50He does indeed.
11:51Our officials tonight, Pat Freyer, 25th season.
11:55Our referee, John Butler.
11:57Our umpire, Danielle Scott.
11:59And right there, Ty Lue, before the game, told us they're going to have to throw different looks at Luka.
12:17But the thing they can't do is they can't have him score and assisting.
12:22And on the first possession, he picked the defense apart on the money, on the laces.
12:27Here's Kawhi Leonard right now with the career year so far.
12:31Floater inside.
12:32Rebound is retrieved by LA and La Ravia.
12:34With Luka Doncic averaging at about 33 points a game.
12:40Weaving, setting, firing the 3-0.
12:43Out of bounds.
12:45It's off the Clippers.
12:47A look at JJ Redick now in his second season.
12:50To your point, Candice, even though this league is more about super 3s,
12:57it hasn't changed from the standpoint of inside-out 3s are the best.
13:01So Luka gets down in pain, kick it to his teammate with an inside-out 3.
13:05It's Harden and John Collins.
13:07A lot of traffic, but he got it to go.
13:09And the Clippers starting off in fast break.
13:12They don't normally push it, but when you have John Collins out in front,
13:17James Harden had to give it up.
13:18They like the slow-paced game.
13:21It's Marcus Smart.
13:22He does it on both ends of the floor.
13:24And here is Aiton.
13:25Got poked in the eye the other night.
13:27The protective goggles.
13:29Doncic on the side.
13:30La Ravia at 3.
13:31Another one has gotten that.
13:33That's that facilitator we're talking about.
13:34Luka has eyes in the back, in the front, and both sides of his head.
13:38These are great facilitators.
13:39That's a lot of eyes.
13:42And they go into Zubats.
13:44He got it from Harden, and that's been a great connection.
13:46And he shows why.
13:47At Zubats, I'm with UD.
13:49in pregame.
13:51He's your favorite center's favorite center.
13:52He does the little things.
13:53He rolls to the basket.
13:54He makes things difficult on the opposing team's defense.
13:58LeBron's averaging 22.
13:59It's Aiton inside.
14:01Collins will defend.
14:02With the offensive rebound, an outside smart.
14:05Missed it all.
14:06Out of bounds.
14:07Croopers ball.
14:09La Ravia with a couple long-distance shots.
14:11Yeah, we talked about it.
14:12Luka Doncic, once he gets downhill, he becomes a problem.
14:15And the problem is not always offensively.
14:18It's to make sure that he's getting his teammates wide open looks.
14:20Right now, the Clippers, number 10 in the Western Conference.
14:25Home record of 11 and 9.
14:27They go inside.
14:28Zubats doubled.
14:30And this is over a tough shot.
14:32Rebound by DeAndre.
14:33And Luka.
14:36Five triple doubles.
14:38He had a big night the other night.
14:39And that little floater will go in.
14:40Okay, let me set the stage for you, Kevin.
14:42Luka has come down two possessions, and he's picked your defense apart.
14:45Yep.
14:46And now, on this third possession, he's come down.
14:48And at his own pace, has gotten to that mid-range floater.
14:52Yeah, we talked about it, right?
14:53He dictates the game as Kawhi hits the pull-up three.
14:56So good to see him back.
14:57But Luka Doncic controls the game any way he want on his offensive end of the floor.
15:02Here comes Smart.
15:04Back to Doncic.
15:06Harden is on him.
15:07Three minutes gone.
15:08First quarter, Luka.
15:10Three.
15:11Rebound.
15:12Chased down by Leonard.
15:13He's missed the last three games with injury.
15:15A left knee injury.
15:17Ankle before that.
15:18Works on LeBron.
15:19And over LeBron.
15:20Got it.
15:21And that's what we're accustomed to seeing Kawhi.
15:23That mid-range.
15:24Where he's extended, and his three ball has opened up that level of his game.
15:29Even more so in what he's done in the past 13 games.
15:33Doncic won against Dunn and won that battle.
15:35Well, we talked about Kobe a lot in the opener.
15:37We're going to talk about him a lot more.
15:38But what Kawhi does is very similar to Kobe Bryant.
15:41He gets the response.
15:43He raises up, and he does not see it.
15:45Woo!
15:46Wow!
15:46Right on money.
15:47See that?
15:47It's like he's listening at the block.
15:49He is listening.
15:52Just amazing.
15:53The Brews are coming off O-Rs at Chicago Tuesday by 28.
15:59Nice feet inside as LeBron found the cutting smart for two.
16:05And what a thing of beauty.
16:06I mean, it unlocks your offense when you have two of the greatest passers in the game.
16:12James embracing that role.
16:15High screen Zubats.
16:17It's Collins inside.
16:19Lost it.
16:19You see the tussle on the floor.
16:21It's dug out.
16:23And Aiden's got it.
16:25And Doncic had it deflected.
16:26And out of bounds.
16:27Looking for LeBron.
16:28It is off of the Clippers.
16:31Well, we talk about it, Candice.
16:33Kawhi just gets to his spots.
16:34These are things that he worked on over and over again.
16:37You watch him in pregame.
16:38This is probably a shot that he shot over and over again.
16:41He gets to a spot.
16:42He raises up.
16:43He doesn't see a defender underneath him.
16:46He knocks it down.
16:46This is Doncic who led the NBA in all-star voting.
16:50Zubats the rebound.
16:52Harden on the fly.
16:54He's having a tremendous season.
16:56The hesitation and the drive.
16:57Knocked away by Aiden.
16:59Great block inside.
17:00Two on one, James.
17:01And Doncic will go careening out of bounds.
17:04They couldn't get it to go.
17:05I think Luka went as fast as he's been all year trying to get that ball.
17:12That loose ball out of bounds.
17:15It's Leonard weaving.
17:17Firing.
17:19And Doncic with the rebound.
17:22Lakers have won three of five.
17:24And at Denver, Tuesday, they won by eight.
17:28They go inside.
17:29Doncic off the glass.
17:30And what they did early, right there for Luka, is they set the screen early and often.
17:37Because when you get Luka going downhill and he's able to play at his own pace, good luck.
17:41Luka, is there James put the first two games of the series?
17:46Game three tonight.
17:48Good hard.
17:48It was.
17:49Zubats will finish well.
17:50Well, that's right there.
17:51Zubats and James Harden have a connection.
17:54And when Zubats is in the game playing with James, Jesse hits him a lot on that pocket pass.
17:58And Zubats has been doing a better job this year of kicking it to his friends to his other teammates as well.
18:03It's James, and Zubac is there, and LeBron patient with his shot.
18:08LeBron doing a great job, like you said, being patient, coming off that screen and roll.
18:14Harden lost it, going in.
18:206.17 to go in the first.
18:23Doncic picked up a foul.
18:25It is the first on him.
18:27He wants him to look at it.
18:28Lakers by two on prime.
18:30It's crafted for greatness.
18:31Presented by Acura.
18:33And right here, you see Zubac and James Harden having this connection.
18:38You need a rim roller on your squad to unlock your offense.
18:43You do it a little bit of different ways, right?
18:45They're going to blitz Harden.
18:46They're going to put two on the ball.
18:47You have someone like Zubac that's got great hands, great coordination around the rim,
18:52great pocket decision-making.
18:54That unlocks three-point shots, and it unlocks layups under the rim.
18:57The Lakers just challenged that foul on Doncic, and they were successful.
19:02He hit the ball, then the wrist.
19:04It's a successful challenge.
19:05And here is what we saw during our break.
19:10And now you see it, and so they'll jump it, and the Lakers control.
19:13Jackson Hayes is in the game.
19:16Hayden.
19:16Hayden is resting right now, and here comes L.A.
19:19A Vincent one has already checked in for the Lakers.
19:23It's James, Laravia, and Vincent.
19:29Laravia with two-point threes, and inside LeBron.
19:32He's to the hole.
19:33Hit the deck and a foul.
19:35And those are things that LeBron is doing.
19:37He's playing more off-ball with Luka Doncic kind of having the ball-handling responsibilities
19:42for the offense.
19:43But what is he doing?
19:44He's making it easier in the half court by cutting.
19:46He's making it easier in the full court by scoring more in transition.
19:50I mean, D-Way, we can't talk enough about just how LeBron can play so many different ways.
19:56Well, when you become Batman, I mean, you become Robin, and you're not Batman any longer,
20:01and you've accepted that role, then you have to find other ways to help your team.
20:05LeBron James not only has fouled it in transition, but he's fouled it in the half court in his cutting abilities.
20:10Upcoming national TV schedule tomorrow on Prime.
20:13Rockets, Pistons, Nuggets, Bucs.
20:16Saturday, ABC, tripleheader.
20:18Knicks will be in Philly.
20:19Golden State will be in Minneapolis.
20:21Lakers will be in Dallas.
20:22And for more on these games, go to NBA.com or visit the NBA app.
20:28Jordan Miller has checked in for the Clippers.
20:31Harden will take it to the hole.
20:33And Hayes with a nice block.
20:34Picked up two-bots and cleans it up.
20:36Looking right there, hanging around the rim.
20:38Sometimes you find something.
20:40James Harden blocked at the rim for the second straight time, but Zub cleans it up because
20:44his man had to go help on the block.
20:46I love Zub.
20:47Candice, I got a question.
20:48Were you like Zubac?
20:49Could you catch bounce passes, like, in traffic?
20:51Were you one of those bigs, or they had to throw it right in your hand?
20:55I mean, I don't know.
20:55Was I?
20:56I don't know.
20:57I'm just wondering.
20:59Proby Sanders inside, and Zubac will go over Hayes.
21:02And LeBron will get the rebound.
21:05Some bigs, you can't do that to him.
21:06You can't throw it on the rim, throw it out fast as you can throw it in the base.
21:09I just want to know.
21:1141-year-old LeBron James.
21:15It's a Harden rebound.
21:19James Harden, a top-ten score all time.
21:23In the corner.
21:24Sanders from three.
21:27Kirby Sanders puts it in.
21:29We talked about the bench scoring with Ty Lue before the game.
21:35Obviously, Colby Sanders, George Miller as well.
21:38And his eyes lit up when he talked about the work that these young guys have put in
21:42over consistent from the summer all the way until today.
21:45Every day he kept saying they put the work in.
21:48Donchich with eight.
21:49His first quarters are tremendous.
21:52He really aims for that.
21:53Harden in the corner.
21:55Sanders again.
21:55Triple cook it.
21:56And Colby Sanders.
21:59Hey, it could be a night for Colby, given who this anniversary is.
22:02Why not?
22:03Wouldn't that be something, huh?
22:05The Dodgers in the first quarter really has a concentration and a focus.
22:10The scoop won't go.
22:11Harden with numbers.
22:13Pins it in the way.
22:14James will study and drive.
22:16And feed.
22:17And Sanders on top.
22:21A turnover.
22:24Retrieved.
22:24Miller.
22:25Three.
22:26No.
22:27Zubats cleans it and puts it in again.
22:29And right there, just Zubats sighs.
22:32His physicality to push Jackson Hayes underneath the rim to get that offensive board.
22:39He's got it.
22:41It's Donchich.
22:42Hey!
22:43With a spin and foul down the play.
22:46Miller was down there.
22:47So Zubats averaging a double-double.
22:52And these are some of the great things he does inside.
22:55And he might have got away with a little bit of a shove.
22:57He might have.
22:59He might have got away with a little bit of a shove.
23:01But that's an offensive rebound nonetheless.
23:03So, with some of the boxing out nowadays, I mean, you're down as a big guy.
23:08You either jumping and you're getting a rebound or you're boxing out and you're actually pushing
23:12Zubats back and not allowing him to push you underneath the basket.
23:16So, talking about the first quarters that Donchich puts together, and they're just terrific.
23:23Does he go into a game and think with that in mind?
23:27Is it just, that's the way he feels like it'll carry him the rest of the way?
23:31Like, why the first quarter?
23:32Why the first half?
23:34Well, as someone that has the ball in his hands as much, he's the head of the offense.
23:38And I feel like Donchich's message going in is he's got to get going and then he can figure
23:43out the defensive coverages.
23:44Because as he's gotten older in his career, it's about simplicity.
23:48It's about pace.
23:49And it's about playing at your own speed.
23:51And he does that in this first quarter to figure out the other team's coverages.
23:55Well, we talk about him being Batman.
23:57Batman has to set the plate for the team.
23:59He understands that when he's aggressive, everybody understands what to do and what positions to
24:04be in.
24:05And so, he comes out very early just being aggressive.
24:08Oh, nice shot by Harden.
24:10Puts it through.
24:11It's a 13-3 L.A. Clipper run with Donchich the other way.
24:19Vanderbilt has checked in for the Lakers.
24:21Held Donchich.
24:22And again, he goes spinning out of bounds.
24:25It's...
24:25Whenever he is out of control, man, it's like elbows and everything flying.
24:31Harden with this nice stroke.
24:32And Collins just picked up his first foul with Brook Lopez checking in for the Clippers.
24:39Well, we talked about James Harden moving up the scoring chart in the NBA history.
24:44He's top 10 now.
24:45He's passing guys every night.
24:46But his handle, Candice, is his ability to be able to get separation just like that to
24:52get a shot off.
24:54Donchich just knocked in another one.
24:56He's got thrown.
24:58But there's just so many plays where you're like great defense.
25:02It's just better offense because you are Luka the ton.
25:05Jordan Miller is out of Miami.
25:07He's a second-year player with a nice up and under.
25:10Nice feet.
25:11And the two young guys coming in.
25:13Miller and Sanders making a difference for this Clippers squad.
25:19With the turnover, here comes Harden on the break.
25:22Oh!
25:23A beautiful sidestep.
25:25Neurostone.
25:26Didn't you demonstrate that in the studio?
25:29That was a lead.
25:29That was dancing right there.
25:30He put on his dancing shoes.
25:32So Luka on one end has exploded for 12.
25:38Hitting shots like this.
25:40And then Harden not disappointing at the other end.
25:42Well, Harden got on them pad leather, black dancing shoes, and he put them to work tonight.
25:49I remember the exact moment that that happened.
25:53It always stayed, you know, in my mind.
25:55It was an amazing moment.
25:57Just for Kobe to know my name was amazing for me.
25:59And, you know, I just wish Kobe and J.J. were here.
26:01To see this moment.
26:07When greatness recognized greatness in real time, Luka reflected on it beautifully when he officially became a Los Angeles Laker almost a year ago.
26:14And as we continue to celebrate Kobe's 81 20 years ago today, Kobe was someone that motivated Luka to play the game.
26:20To hear him say his name in that moment we just showed.
26:22Luka says it's one he'll never forget.
26:24And if you're just joining us, he told me pregame, he was just seven when Kobe dropped 81.
26:29And to this day, he still finds it to be crazy, Kevin.
26:31And that's coming from someone in himself who dropped 73 a couple seasons ago.
26:35Just true admiration and respect.
26:37And he has surpassed his average of 12 points per game for the first quarter.
26:53Luka is aggressive, inattentional aggressiveness in the first quarter.
26:59Guard Luka.
27:00You've got to be able to guard the first move, the second move, the third move, and possibly the fourth and the fifth.
27:06Right there, the Lakers electing to go zone.
27:08Worked out well.
27:10You know, as Harden missed the three.
27:12Donchich, Vanderbilt, put faith, drop it now.
27:15Wilpage rebound.
27:17Here comes James Harden.
27:20And Donchich will defend.
27:23Harden, one of four players.
27:26Oh, they go inside the high-flying Collins.
27:30We talked about that early with James Harden.
27:32Obviously, we always going to talk about his scoring ability.
27:34But his passing ability is one of his greatest attributes to be able to see the entire floor, especially to his big guys.
27:41He already has six assists.
27:43Donchich, Hachimura, off the bench and firing.
27:47And here's the rebound.
27:48Harden the other way.
27:49One of four players averaging 25 points and eight assists.
27:54Him, Luka, Cade Cunningham.
27:58And Jokic outside.
27:59This is a three put up and down by Sanders.
28:02He's got three triples in the first quarter.
28:06And all of that is off of the playmaking of James Harden.
28:09Just ready to catch and shoot.
28:12Harden's on it tonight.
28:14As is Donchich.
28:16Luka maneuvers.
28:17The fade away.
28:19And the Harden rebound.
28:21Half a minute to go.
28:22The guy's not going to say it, but this is a rivalry game.
28:25And you can see the intensity in these guys' eyes.
28:27This means something to these guys winning this game.
28:31Two teams from L.A.
28:35Harden, the bump, the pressure, the shot clock at four.
28:40Behind the bat, on the wing, Miller, back to Harden.
28:43The fake, a three, firing.
28:45Rebound, Hachimura.
28:47Donchich could get it.
28:48Time to fire.
28:49Working here.
28:50Harden will converge.
28:52Hachimura for a triple.
28:53Yes!
28:54Count it!
28:56And the wherewithal for Donchich to get off the ball early and find Rui on that shot.
29:04Well, the Stars haven't disappointed so far.
29:06Donchich with 14.
29:08And Harden with five and seven assists.
29:11The two teams from L.A., seven-point clipper lead at the end of one.
29:16The Oracle Laker franchise has had some players that have led the league in scoring, like George Mikan.
29:22He did it three times.
29:24The incomparable Jerry West in 1970.
29:27Shaq did it when he was a Laker.
29:29Kobe did it twice.
29:31And now Luka Donchich, halfway through this season, leading the league.
29:35He is one of three players in the NBA right now, averaging 30 points a game.
29:41Well, Candace, I was lucky enough to do it once in my career.
29:44And when you talk about it being taxing on your body and your mind, to do it every night at that level,
29:51it's pretty impressive that Luka has got himself in the string state of conditioning and shape to be able to do that as well.
29:58I think what's so impressive about Luka is not only is he scoring, but he's assisting at one of the highest clips
30:05in terms of scoring or assisting at 54 points per game.
30:08So what he means to this Lakers offense is indescribable on a night in and night out, basically.
30:13Yeah, that number you just shake your head at.
30:15And the nice shot by Hachimura will bring the Lakers again to within seven, just underway here in the second quarter.
30:23And again, the Lakers electing to go zone as Lopez scores.
30:31JJ has acknowledged that they are going to play a lot more zone.
30:35Yeah.
30:35He wants to continue to throw that out there to throw teams off.
30:39And I know Miami used to do that.
30:42Yeah.
30:42You guys used to throw a little zone?
30:44Well, he's going to lean.
30:45A lot of it again, as Bryon gets to his patented, oh, don't look like that, Bryon, to get to a patented shot.
30:52A lot of it, like you just said, is to make sure that you're throwing teams off a rhythm.
30:55You don't want to have them have a heavy dose of anything.
30:59And so the zone is just to get them out of that rhythm a little bit, confuse them,
31:02and also they never know when it's coming.
31:04That's a turnover.
31:05So LeBron with six points in time now for five better moments presented by Emirates.
31:13And this is LeBron James weaving for the deuce.
31:16The mid-range game is very much alive.
31:18I love LeBron and the simplicity at which he plays, comes off patient.
31:22And he did give a little bit of a look running down the court.
31:24I'm with you, D.
31:25He locked in.
31:26He got a certain kind of focus.
31:28He a little mad.
31:28He looked like he a little mad.
31:30Talked to him before the game a little bit.
31:32And so we're seeing that, and I like it.
31:33The two with the rebound.
31:37It's Kawhi Leonard at eight points so far in seven minutes.
31:41Starts the second quarter.
31:42But two in the corner.
31:45And the rebound by Jared Vanderbilt.
31:48And James.
31:54Two minutes gone in the second quarter.
31:57He's battling Miller.
31:59It's smart.
32:01Across, up, and off.
32:03The two in the rebound.
32:11Oh, what a scoop by Kawhi.
32:14Pretty play.
32:15Clives for two.
32:17And these are the crucial minutes.
32:19When Kawhi was out injured, these non-James Harden minutes were good for the Clippers.
32:25And now you have an ability to play.
32:27Oh, smart got it back.
32:31And Hachimura.
32:32In the corner, Vanderbilt.
32:34That's a three.
32:36Talking about Kawhi minutes now.
32:38You're talking about a guy.
32:40You're talking about Jordan Miller.
32:41You're talking about Kobe Sanders as well.
32:44And when he was out in his absence, these guys gained more confidence and comfortable.
32:48So, now he's out there with them.
32:50And they have more offensive to give.
32:52Wada Hustle from Vanderbilt, but couldn't convert Miller the other way.
32:55Smart in the way.
32:58Runging in.
32:59Hachimura with a whistle.
33:00And 8.57 to go in the first half.
33:05Leonard moments ago.
33:06This is what I'm talking about.
33:08A little finger roll.
33:09We call that a scoop-dee-doo.
33:11And right here.
33:13Those size hands.
33:15Looks like he's finger rolling a tennis ball.
33:18Goodness.
33:19But why?
33:20Smart picks up his first.
33:22Hachimura, Vanderbilt will check out.
33:24Timmy will check in.
33:26DeAndre will check in.
33:28Marcus Smart is one of my favorite things, Kevin.
33:32I'm sorry to interrupt, but floor burn.
33:34I love when a guy get a floor burn.
33:36To get on the ground and get an ex-possession for his team.
33:40Miller punching his way inside.
33:43Reckminating in with a whistle and a foul.
33:45Did you get many floor burns?
33:46I love when a guy.
33:48Oh, I was thinking you were talking about you've got a lot.
33:50I wore tights and arm sleeves, so I didn't get floor burns.
33:53I'm sorry.
33:54I just was wondering, Kevin.
33:55They're going to put Jordan Miller at the line 12 Tuesday in Chicago.
34:02These past five games, he's had 12, 16, 19, 11, 14 points.
34:09He's scoring now, gaining the confidence.
34:13Played at Miami and also at George Mason.
34:16Let's now take a look at tonight's live update presented by FanDuel.
34:20And the odds associated with this one.
34:25The Clippers, the number one free throw shooting team in the NBA.
34:30And the first free throws right there.
34:32I look at weird things.
34:34And one thing I look at when I look at the Clippers,
34:35everybody on the coaching staff besides Talib have on James Harden sneakers.
34:39To me, when you talk about this team finding each other, finding identity,
34:44it's about little things.
34:45And a little thing like that goes a long way.
34:47Look at the craftiness of LeBron in that play.
34:50And LeBron in the previous game against Denver started off slow.
34:54Not today.
34:55He is intent on getting to the rack.
34:57Thought he got fouled on that one.
34:59Lopez, green.
35:01What a throw.
35:02Yeah, he ain't even see Marcus Smart close out at all.
35:06I'm just bigger than you.
35:11James again.
35:12Sanders will defend.
35:13Leonard Mayhenge.
35:16Oh.
35:18Sneaks a pass.
35:20Timmy.
35:20Laravia.
35:22The spin.
35:24The win.
35:24The foul.
35:25We'll be talking about LeBron right here.
35:31He just came off the play before, got to space, hit a pull-up jumper.
35:34This time, he went the opposite way and went all the way to the paint.
35:38Then on the other side, what a luxury to have.
35:41Seven-foot center, pops, knocks down threes.
35:45The Clippers hot from beyond the arc.
35:47Seven of 12 early.
35:50Miller picked up his second.
35:51Laravia is at the line.
35:53And this team, this Laker team, still doesn't have Austin Reeves.
35:57Injured Christmas Day.
35:58They think maybe at the end of the upcoming road trip, another five games to go, he'll be back.
36:04But the numbers with him and Doncic and LeBron, not all that impressive.
36:10That surprise you?
36:11Well, they've only had 140 minutes together on the team.
36:15LeBron was injured through training camp, so they didn't have that time to gel or mesh.
36:19So, I would like to give an opportunity to have time to be able to see what that big three can be.
36:26Yeah, to your point, going back to LeBron Bennington's training camp, I think that's something that we should speak about more.
36:31This guy is 41 years old.
36:33He missed training camp.
36:34He missed preseason.
36:35And so, now we're starting to see the LeBron James that we used to see him.
36:38Look at him now.
36:40Knocked away Lopez with a shove and a foul.
36:42It'll go on Lopez.
36:457.33 here in the first half.
36:47Lopez picks up his second.
36:49And LeBron has taken advantage of this drop coverage that the Clippers are playing.
36:54Once you give this man, that stands at, what, 6'9"?
36:58What would you say?
36:582?
37:00250?
37:01Yeah, 250 handshake.
37:02And let him get going downhill.
37:04Boy, has he had an incredible January.
37:08Tap into the action in the NBA app.
37:10Go behind the scenes in the moments, Tim.
37:12Break down the Battle of Los Angeles.
37:15And tap to watch games live.
37:17Download the app today.
37:20Luka back on the floor.
37:22LeBron at the line.
37:24There he is, a 74% free throw shooter this season.
37:28In his 23rd year, that is a record.
37:31First player to play 23 years in the NBA.
37:36Leonard Short.
37:37Dotson's rebound.
37:38The release.
37:39Larabia at the other end.
37:41Leonard is there.
37:44Aiton is on the fly.
37:46Subac collects it.
37:48It's Kawhi.
37:49And if there was any doubt of whether Kawhi was going to come back rusty, he's closed the door on all of that.
38:02Efficient 5 of 8.
38:03He's done it from the mid-range.
38:05He's done it from the frito line.
38:06He's done it from the three-point line.
38:08It's a good sign for the Clippers.
38:09Like we said, he's having a career year.
38:11Hard to believe for a guy that's played this long.
38:13Dotson's getting up top there.
38:15Aiton wouldn't expect, I don't know, maybe not expecting the pass or what?
38:18He got a roll.
38:19We talked about it.
38:20He has to roll.
38:24From Los Angeles, you're watching AWS Rivals Week on Prime.
38:28Presented by Wingstop.
38:30Grant and Rebecca Ferguson, only in theaters this Friday.
38:37Experience it in IMAX in 3D.
38:41It looks like a terrific movie.
38:45All right, here we go.
38:46Lakers and Clippers.
38:47Clippers number 10 in the West.
38:49Five games under .500, but they began the season 6-21.
38:53They've won 13 of their last 16.
38:55Lakers are 10 games over .500.
38:57Number 5 in the West.
38:59Here's Kawhi, 14 points.
39:02Frashing at him is Hachimura.
39:04It doesn't matter.
39:05And that's what Kawhi does.
39:08The patience, the poise, he's going to get to his spot.
39:13And he's done it in every way possible here in this first quarter.
39:17Chris Pratt is out here giving out kisses to the fans,
39:20but Kawhi Leonard is out here giving out buckets to the ladies.
39:22That's good.
39:23You get a bucket.
39:24You get a bucket.
39:25You get a bucket.
39:26Donchich inside maneuvering on Dunn.
39:31Lose Hachimura saves it.
39:33Shot clock at one.
39:33Does he know?
39:34Yes, he does.
39:36And it's picked up inside by Dunn.
39:38Down goes La Ravia with a whistle and a clipper foul inside with all that traffic.
39:45It goes on Dunn, number one.
39:46With 5.57 to go here.
39:55They just changed it.
39:56They put it on Leonard.
39:58Kawhi picked it up.
40:01We talked a lot about the Clippers defense becoming a foundation.
40:05You can see how hard they're making it on the leg.
40:07Luka makes a tough shot, but that's what Luka does.
40:10But to the Clippers' credit, their defense has really become their calling card.
40:15And it's a lot of little things that they're doing that they're not doing early on that they're doing tonight.
40:20Donchich with 16.
40:21They double hardened.
40:23Kawhi Leonard with 16.
40:24He's on the bench now.
40:25It's done.
40:28It's Zubac.
40:30Look at him.
40:30He's in a straight jacket.
40:31How does he get out?
40:32He can't.
40:33And that's the impact of Marcus Smart right there.
40:35Just a double comes up with the ball, and that's his impact in this lineup on the defensive end.
40:41High-speed Donchich cutting Hachimura.
40:44Harden is right there.
40:50Hachimura not coming off the bench.
40:52Harden's hit Parkinson.
40:53Nice defense by James.
40:54Averaging almost two steals a game.
40:57Weaving the other way, Kobe Sanders.
40:59James has great hands.
41:00He don't get a lot of credit as a defender because of all the other great things he does.
41:04But James has great hands.
41:06Kickball, and the shot clock reverts to 14 seconds.
41:09And the Lakers are putting two on James Harden almost every single time,
41:14making Zubac make decisions in the pocket right here.
41:18D-Wade, you talked about the great hands.
41:21Smaller player, you bring it down.
41:23He's going to get it.
41:24Are we making enough of the Harden-Zubac combination, you guys think?
41:28There's been terrific.
41:29It's been incredible.
41:31We love to see it.
41:31Like we said, it's James Harden's favorite target, but it's the reason why.
41:35Zubac gets that ball in that paint.
41:37He scores the basketball at will when he's down there for this move that he has.
41:41But also, too, he knows once Zubac gets that, because they committed two to the ball,
41:46that Zubac can now become a playmaker if needed as well.
41:48Candace, it unlocks this offense, doesn't it?
41:50It unlocks this offense because you not only have someone that you almost have to put two
41:56on the ball on coming off screens than James Harden.
41:58You have Zubac, that's a rim-running, rolling threat.
42:02Then that unlocks the catch-and-shoot from beyond the perimeter.
42:05So I just think those two being in sync really does a lot for the Clippers offense.
42:09Harden and Doncic, the fake, the feed.
42:11There's a shot clock violation as Collins is checked back in.
42:16I love that right there.
42:18Luka Doncic, he gets a lot of flack about what he doesn't do.
42:21We know what he does very well, passing, scoring, all the things.
42:24But defense is where his slack comes from.
42:26But Luka, defensive effort this year has had improvement, a big improvement.
42:31It's one of the best of his career.
42:33The highest defensive rating of his career, D-Wade.
42:38It's Hayes.
42:39Oh, he had it ripped away by Batum.
42:41Harden on the move.
42:46Pinson in the way, doubled by Doncic.
42:48Now they switch.
42:50Harden into Louisiana.
42:52Leans out of bounds.
42:55It's off of L.A.
42:56Shot clock at 11.
43:00The Clippers at home are 11-9.
43:05In the first 27 games, they went 6-21.
43:10They had a 6-game losing streak and 2-5-game losing streaks.
43:13Now they're back.
43:14And fairly competitive.
43:164-to-fire with it now.
43:18Maneuvering.
43:19This is over down for Collins.
43:20Nails it.
43:21And if you're J.J. Redick, you've got to be proud of that defensive effort right there.
43:24Contested shot, just better offense on that end.
43:27But if you're the Lakers, you have more possessions like that, you're going to come up on top.
43:32Lakers, 10 games over 500.
43:39Their best has been 12 games over 500.
43:42They double-dodged.
43:43Shot clock at 4.
43:44La Ravia, a forwarder on the floor.
43:46Zubac's the rebound.
43:47Well, this is one thing that the Clippers have been doing a good job of is they've been following their guards right down to Zubac.
43:54Zubac is not known as a shot.
43:55Oh!
43:56But he will make you change your decision.
43:58Zubac's a former drafted player by the Lakers.
44:04Traded to the Clippers.
44:06Don Cicch.
44:07And he was fouled as he fired.
44:09And you could tell after the last possession where Luka thought that he got fouled, he was going to come down and get to the free throw line.
44:15But right here, James Harden making it difficult, putting two on the ball.
44:19What happens when a shot blocker comes over?
44:21Offensive rebound as the opposing big.
44:24Zubac's done a great job hanging around and reaping the benefits.
44:27Yeah, put the ball up.
44:28Put it on the rim.
44:29It's better than a turnover and even a bad shot.
44:31You're driving down there, and you are James Harden who's going to get multiple guys to always pay attention to you.
44:37Put the ball on the rim and let your big guys be big.
44:40Dunn picked up his first.
44:42Luka at the free throw line.
44:44Number one in scoring.
44:46Number four in assists.
44:48Number nine in steals.
44:50And those are some of the things he has just flourished in with all those free throws made.
44:57Deadly on the open four and at the one.
45:00Candice, I love when Luka rebounds the basketball.
45:06And the reason I love that is because his ability to be able to pitch that helps their pace.
45:10So when he's rebounding like he did the other night against Denver when he had 13 rebounds,
45:14this Laker team can get out and transition.
45:17They don't have to see a half-court defense every time.
45:20Clippers are shooting 62%.
45:25Lakers 44.
45:27A turnover.
45:28Laravia.
45:29Gabe Vincent.
45:30And then Jackson Hayes is there to finish it up.
45:38Looked like Kobe Sanders turned his ankle on that play.
45:44Harden for the Clippers who have won eight of their last nine at home.
45:48Thriving now into Hayes, by Hayes, into the hole.
45:52And what happens when you switch and you bring your center away from the ball,
45:55away from the basket?
45:57Your shot blocker is not there to block.
45:59James Harden takes advantage and gets to the rack.
46:02Just a smart play by Harden.
46:04Puts the Clippers up.
46:06How about the Clippers?
46:07Just three losses in the last 31 days.
46:09And right now, leading the Lakers on prime.
46:12Welcome back to Into a Dome.
46:17Clippers with a 12-point lead over the Lakers here in the second quarter.
46:20And they say a pitcher's worth a thousand words.
46:22And boy, do we have one.
46:23Encompassing the player-coach relationship between Clippers star James Harden
46:26and lead assistant Jeff Van Gundy.
46:28This moment captured following the Clips win over the Wizards earlier this week
46:31when James made the team sing happy birthday to Jeff,
46:34who is known to be more low-key and not like exposure.
46:36But as James will tell you, their bond was like, quote, love at first sight,
46:40saying Jeff has left notes in his locker since he joined the staff.
46:43He says he texts me all the time.
46:44But also, James said he isn't afraid to correct him.
46:47Built through respect, guys, James called it a real partnership,
46:50praising Jeff's preparation, energy, and basketball IQ.
46:52And it's that type of work ethic, guys, that makes not just for James,
46:56but the squad love showing up to work every day.
46:59Candice D-Wade, I know you understand what that means.
47:02I think we both understand the value of assistance.
47:05I know you probably had that one special assistant that could always get you going.
47:09It's more of a personal talk, back and forth.
47:12I mean, they do a lot.
47:13Aiden with a rough stretch, missing two on the doorstep
47:16and throwing it away right there, Zubacian control.
47:20I'm telling you, looking at the assistants,
47:21wearing James Harden's shoes all in unison,
47:23that means something.
47:25And I'm sure Jeff Van Gundy probably started their train over there.
47:30Harden has always gravitated, it seems like,
47:32to really good coaches.
47:35Doug Collins at Arizona State.
47:36There's a pickpocket by Donchich.
47:39And now Van Gundy here in L.A.
47:42I think great players want to be coached.
47:45You think about Van Gundy, I'm sure he's not a quiet coach.
47:47We see him on the sidelines.
47:49You want to be coached.
47:50So a guy who's not afraid to coach you
47:52is a guy you actually gravitate to.
47:54It's James Harden.
47:59Seven points, eight assists.
48:01LeBron is near.
48:03Good defensive numbers for LeBron as well.
48:05Here comes Don in to Vincent.
48:07A spin, and he got it with a good fake.
48:10And it's the biggest lead for the Clippers tonight.
48:12And the Clippers have done it, obviously,
48:15with the play of James Harden setting the table
48:17and others playing off of closeouts
48:19because they're putting two on the ball on James Harden.
48:22Three, Donchich.
48:24Zubac, volleyballs to Dunn.
48:27Here comes Harden.
48:30The swagger.
48:31LeBron, the split, the score.
48:36And he got the foul.
48:38That's even the play, James.
48:40And James Harden coming down.
48:44Eight assists, obviously, setting the table.
48:46But guess what?
48:47He can set his own plate as well.
48:49Gets in there and takes the contact.
48:54Can't the playoff game that Harden have
48:56when he played for the Sixers in Boston
48:58that one game like a single-handedly
49:00won the game for Philadelphia.
49:02That's eons ago.
49:04But right now, he is averaging
49:06his highest scoring average
49:07in the last six years.
49:09And here's a guy
49:10who's in his 16th season in the NBA.
49:13And he's averaging 36 minutes a game
49:16in his 16th, 17th season in the NBA.
49:19And a lot of people talk about his conditioning a lot.
49:22But this guy is a basketball player.
49:23He loves to be out there.
49:25On the steal and the score.
49:28And he's got the guys around him playing well.
49:30I mean, there's a reason why
49:32Harden has had 25, 50-point games.
49:36I mean, he can do it in so many different ways.
49:38Here comes Aiton.
49:40Zubats will defense across the lane.
49:42De'Andre finds two.
49:44What's the most impressive to me
49:45is the Clippers, their defense.
49:47And when we talk about the things
49:48that they're doing well,
49:49they're communicating their switches right now.
49:52They're in nail help.
49:53They're recovering quicker
49:54to the shooters with the Lakers.
49:56These are all the things they have been doing
49:57to get themselves back into this season.
49:59You know, to your point,
50:01we talked to Ty Lue before the game.
50:03He said one of the things
50:03that helped our turnaround
50:04was during the NBA Cup.
50:07And they had time to practice.
50:09And that kind of is to your point
50:10about more communication.
50:12Yeah, he talked about them
50:13practicing their concepts.
50:14They got a chance to understand
50:15the language that they were trying to put in.
50:17And so communication goes a long way
50:20when you're trying to learn each other
50:21and you're trying to learn the system.
50:23Harden works on smart.
50:24Now, Doncic.
50:26It's congested in there.
50:28Two balls can't get it.
50:29LeBron does.
50:30Halftime is here.
50:33So the Clippers had a run
50:35at the end of that second quarter, 9-2.
50:37They had a good run
50:38at the end of the first quarter.
50:4022-11.
50:42Finishing quarters.
50:43The Clippers have done it.
50:44And thus, they've got the sizable lead
50:46over the Lakers at the half.
50:49And stay tuned for the half.
50:51Presented by AT&T.
50:53And in the studio,
50:54our terrific crew of Taylor Rooks,
50:56Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki,
50:58Udonis Haslam,
51:00and Steve Nash.
51:02It's the Battle of Los Angeles
51:04on Rivals Week in the NBA.
51:07The Lakers, the Clippers.
51:09You're watching the NBA on Prime.
51:12Peekable.
51:13I just put them bookers in my chain.
51:15Peekable.
51:1580-pointers like a Kobe game.
51:17Peekable.
51:18AT&T.
51:19The Clippers are 13-3
51:23in their last 16 games.
51:24And they lead the Lakers
51:2564-47 at the half.
51:28Welcome in.
51:28Taylor Rooks with Dirk Nowitzki,
51:30Steve Nash,
51:30Blake Griffin,
51:31Udonis Haslam.
51:32Seven lead changes,
51:33but all of them came
51:34in the first quarter.
51:35Kawhi and the Clippers
51:36outscored the Lakers
51:3728-18 in the second.
51:39Kawhi's got 14 in the first half
51:41tonight in just 12 minutes.
51:43Dirk, how is he getting his way?
51:45Yeah, he picked up
51:46where he left off
51:47before he got his little knee contusion.
51:49Scoring really on all three levels.
51:51He's two for four from three.
51:52He's got his midi going always
51:54at high release.
51:56He had a couple long steps
51:57to the receiver coming off
51:59pick and roll.
51:59Defender's too low.
52:00He can rise up.
52:01He has got a little midi on LeBron.
52:03And then another three ball
52:06here from the wing.
52:07And then he can get to the basket,
52:08obviously, with the best of
52:09with the long stretch down.
52:12So he's scoring on all three levels
52:14and you're picking up
52:15where he left off
52:16before he got hurt.
52:17And I thought Harden
52:18was fantastic playmaking.
52:20Seven assists in the first quarter,
52:22eight at the half.
52:23When he gets downhill,
52:24he can be such a dangerous player
52:26still even at 36,
52:28nearly 37 years old.
52:29And he also made some great
52:31simple reads out of pick and roll.
52:32Sometimes, though,
52:32I'm not sure what the Lakers
52:34are doing defensively.
52:35Yeah.
52:36Ain't not even.
52:37It's been a little tough.
52:39I mean, James has been fantastic.
52:40I mean, this is what he does best.
52:41Just draw two,
52:42kick, make the simple play.
52:43But defensively for the Lakers,
52:46I think too often
52:47their offense
52:48sort of turns them
52:50into silent defenders.
52:52And every good defense
52:53you have to be communicating.
52:55Some of these clips
52:56is just a lack of communication,
52:57right?
52:57Getting lost,
52:58wide open threes,
52:59not rotating enough.
53:00So movement for them
53:02and not relying on their defense
53:03to feed their,
53:04not relying on their offense
53:06to feed their defense,
53:06rather,
53:07is super important
53:08for their defense.
53:09This is routine right here.
53:10When that slot guy
53:11cuts out right there
53:12and Gabe Vincent
53:13is at the bottom,
53:13there has to be communication
53:14to Luka
53:15that I'm taking that slot guy
53:16and that you got to rotate
53:17to that corner.
53:18This is routine right here.
53:19We all know that
53:19what we call teams
53:20that predicate
53:21how hard they play
53:22based on their offense.
53:23That's front running.
53:24That is front running.
53:25You cannot play hard
53:26only when you're making shots
53:27because a lot of times
53:28you're not going to make shots.
53:29You can't control
53:30if the ball's going in.
53:31So these are small things
53:32that a championship team
53:34or a team that hopes
53:34to win a championship,
53:35Gabe Vincent,
53:35who's played with me,
53:36Luka,
53:37who's been to the finals before,
53:38LeBron,
53:38who's been there,
53:39they know this.
53:40Buy in or don't,
53:41but you know this.
53:42And I know like,
53:43you know,
53:44the defense is the big point,
53:45but a lot of these times
53:46Clippers are coming down
53:48and running one action.
53:49It's not this complex scheme
53:51where they have to get out
53:52and cover and cover and cover.
53:53There were a couple
53:54defensive possessions
53:55and we saw in the Denver game
53:56when the Lakers
53:57made their comeback,
53:59they flew around
53:59but the ball was going in
54:01and they felt like
54:01they were going to come back
54:02from that 18-point deficit.
54:04So that would be my message to them.
54:06You cannot let your offense.
54:0858% from the field,
54:0940% from three.
54:12That's not,
54:13you can't win like that.
54:13When they don't guard at all,
54:14it just puts so much pressure
54:16on their offense
54:17and in particular Luka.
54:19He's got to like
54:19make every shot.
54:20He's got to get to the line
54:2110 times.
54:22He's got to get 10 assists.
54:23It just becomes
54:23almost impossible
54:24to task for him
54:25when they don't guard
54:26even a little bit.
54:27Yeah,
54:28Lakers came into tonight
54:28as the sixth worst defense
54:30in the NBA
54:30and they just gave up
54:3164 points in 50 possessions.
54:33And like you all said,
54:34kind of feels like
54:35we've seen this movie before.
54:36All right,
54:37time for Court Connection
54:38presented by AT&T.
54:40James Harden
54:41had eight assists
54:42in the first half
54:43including that
54:44great one of John Collins.
54:46Clippers lead the Lakers
54:4764-47.
54:48The half
54:49presented by AT&T
54:50continues right after.
54:51No ball pressure.
54:52You should not be able
54:53to throw that pass
54:53from there
54:54to the lob.
54:54Straight on the line.
54:58Of course,
54:58my favorite player
54:59of the game.
54:59I mean,
55:00it's classic Kobe, man.
55:01Ripped,
55:02pumping.
55:02Going up and over
55:03and double pump
55:04and Kobe shoots it.
55:06He's going to score.
55:07I just knew it.
55:08I'm going to go
55:09to the free throw line
55:10to finish off the night
55:11with 81.
55:12And an 81-point game.
55:15All right,
55:15made one.
55:17Great hustle by Kobe.
55:19The three and go.
55:20Yes!
55:22And Dunkley's lead.
55:24The second greatest
55:25scored performance
55:26in NBA history.
55:27Could relive it
55:31over and over.
55:32That legendary performance
55:33was 20 years ago
55:34to date 81 points
55:36for Kobe.
55:37The second highest
55:38scoring game
55:39in NBA history.
55:42Make sure you stay
55:44with us here on Prime
55:45after the Lakers-Slippers
55:46game is done
55:47to watch NBA Nightcap
55:48for Amazon Music
55:49Presents
55:50In the Paint
55:51featuring a special
55:52performance from
55:53LA's very own
55:54YG.
55:57At the break,
56:00Kawhi Leonard
56:00has a team high
56:0114 points.
56:03The Clippers lead
56:03the Lakers 64-47.
56:05The second half
56:06is coming up next.
56:10The half
56:11is presented by AT&T.
56:13Connecting changes
56:14everything.
56:19AWS Rivals Week
56:20on Prime
56:21presented by Wingstop.
56:23It's the Lakers
56:24and the Clippers.
56:26The battle for LA
56:27third meeting
56:28this season.
56:30And each team
56:31has already won.
56:32We began tonight,
56:33Candice and Dwayne,
56:35with a look at the stars.
56:37And the stars
56:38in the first half
56:39have not disappointed.
56:40Well, they have not
56:42disappointed.
56:43And Kawhi Leonard
56:43is obviously one of the stars
56:44that we wanted to play tonight.
56:46And he's been exceptional.
56:47But James Harden
56:48is where I look at
56:49when I think about
56:50stars of stars.
56:51This guy can do everything
56:52on the basketball floor.
56:53His ability to be
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