This game was rough from the very beginning. Neither team could find any rhythm on offense, and the fouls piles up quickly. Boban Marjanovic’s presence disturbed the Lakers’ shots at the rim, but he also slowed the Clippers on offense, and seemed to get in the way of their own system. The Clippers, a step slow, fouled too frequently, and gave the Lakers a bunch of free throws. Fortunately, the Lakers bricked most of them, but the Clippers were unable to take real advantage due to their own stagnant offense.
The second quarter didn’t start well.