LOS ANGELES—The battle of Los Angeles was no contest. The quest for the highest possible playoff seed is another story for the Clippers and Lakers.
Norman Powell scored 27 points, Kawhi Leonard added 25 in a game-high 43 minutes and the Clippers improved their playoff seeding chances with a 125–118 win over LeBron James and the Lakers on Wednesday night.
Norman Powell (24) of the LA Clippers scores on a layup in front of D’Angelo Russell (1), Troy Brown Jr. (7) and Rui Hachimura (28) of the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on April 5, 2023. (Harry How/Getty Images)
The Clippers’ 11th straight victory over their Crypto.com Arena hallmates pulled them into a tie with idle Golden State for fifth in the West at 42–38. The Clippers and Lakers came into their final meeting of the season tied in the standings at 41–38….