Walk through Staples Center and you are smacked in the face with Los Angeles Lakers history — the championship banners and retired numbers hanging from the rafters. That makes it more than a little awkward when the Clippers have a home game in that arena. The red-headed stepchild of Los Angeles hoops has its own floor, of course, but otherwise literally has its chief rival’s accomplishments hovering over it.
It would take about 17 championships to change that. But for one year at least, the Clippers appear intent on owning Hollywood. On Saturday night, they held on for a “home” win over the Lakers. On Monday, the Clippers held off the New Jersey Nets.
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That’s three wins in a row for the Clippers. And at 7-3 overall that’s a better winning percentage (.700) than the Lakers, who were 9-5 heading into Monday night’s game against Dallas. Of course, that alone shows what the Clippers are up against. On a holiday, it was the Lakers who hosted the night game at Staples, while little brother settled for the afternoon matinee. It will take more than one Pacific Division title to change that.
– Brian McNally
