Los Angeles Lakers: 3 takeaways from their restart opener win

Lakers forward Anthony Davis holds the ball vs. the LA Clippers (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis holds the ball vs. the LA Clippers (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Takeaways from the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the LA Clippers

Earlier in the day Thursday, Los Angeles Lakers‘ big man was questionable to play due to an eye injury sustained during a scrimmage. However, late in the afternoon news broke that  Anthony Davis was ready to go for the clash with the LA Clippers.

Davis did not appear to suffer any ailing effects from his eye, as the All-Star center scored a game-high 34 points on 8-19 shooting from the field in helping his team earn the narrow 101-103 victory.

Where AD did most of his damage was at the foul line, going 16-17 as the Clippers struggled to defend without fouling. Three of the Clippers starters finished with four or more fouls, including Clippers’ leading scorer Paul George who had 30 points and five fouls.

Lakers bench brings a big boost

Led by Alex Caruso, the Lakers bench outscored the Clippers bench 41-31. Those 10 points make a large difference in a two-point margin. It was quite clear, Lou Williams who is currently serving a 10-day quarantine was missed by the Clips.

LA Clippers control turnover points

The most impressive aspect from the Clippers was their ability to score off the Lakers turnovers. LAC scored a whopping 29 points off turnovers. Whereas the Lakers only picked 14 points off the Clippers giveaways.

If the Clippers keep those numbers up, they win translate to victories.

LeBron and AD party in the paint

The Lakers bested the Clippers 40-24 in paint points. Thanks in large part to LeBron James and Davis as the duo combined for 18 paint points. Conversely, the entire Clippers starting lineup combined for 18 points in the paint. Those numbers must rise for the Clippers because they averaged 48.6 paint points through their first 64 games, those paint points accounted for a large part of their offense.

Next. 3 takeaways from Jazz vs. Pelicans. dark

The Clippers and Lakers will both be back in action on Saturday. The Clippers will take on Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. Whereas the Lakers will battle the defending champion Toronto Raptors.