The Lakers have not been performing well recently, suffering three consecutive losses to the depleted Rockets (Smith and Ison absent), Mavericks (Doncic, Irving, and Gafford absent), and Spurs (Sohan absent) with margins of 4, 21, and 24 points respectively. However, after this losing streak, they managed to bounce back with a home victory against the depleted Heat (Butler absent). In this game, the Lakers trailed by as much as 14 points but managed to turn things around in the fourth quarter, ultimately defeating the Heat by a 9-point margin.
Up next for the Lakers are matchups against the Nets and Clippers. The Nets, lacking in strength and aiming for a rebuild, should not pose a significant threat to the Lakers. However, the Clippers will be a formidable opponent that could give the Lakers a headache. The Clippers have been displaying remarkable dominance, as evidenced by their recent 59-point victory over the Nets and a 29-point win over the Trail Blazers in a back-to-back game where Leonard was rested. These two victories brought their total to an 88-point win in back-to-back games, tying an NBA record.
Following today's game, the Clippers will have a three-day rest before facing the Lakers. With ample rest, the Clippers can be quite formidable, especially considering their ability to play top-tier defense in the league. Despite Leonard missing a significant number of games this season, the Clippers still managed to rank third in defensive efficiency. It is worth noting that since Leonard's return, the Clippers have played six games, during which they achieved the highest defensive efficiency in the league, surpassing even the Thunder. Out of these six games, Leonard missed two and only played in four, indicating that his return has significantly bolstered the Clippers' defense. Even though Leonard's offensive form has not yet reached its ideal level, his presence undoubtedly enhances the Clippers' overall combat capability.
The Lakers' defense this season ranks among the lower tiers in the league, while their offense is only average. On January 20, 2025, Beijing time, the Lakers will face the Clippers away from home. Given the Clippers' current state of full energy and top-level defense, they are expected to pose a significant challenge to the Lakers.