By Can Erozden
ANKARA (AA) – The Los Angeles Clippers toppled their city rivals the Los Angeles Lakers 132-111 in a key NBA game on Thursday to have their fifth win in a row.
LA Clippers point guard Reggie Jackson led his team to score 36 points against the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
Jackson also made nine assists and took eight rebounds.
Ivica Zubac scored 19 points for the Clippers. Marcus Morris produced 14 points for the winning side.
Lakers superstar LeBron James tallied 26 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Russell Westbrook had 17 points and eight rebounds.
Carmelo Anthony scored 13 points for the Lakers.
The LA Clippers played a tremendous third quarter to clinch the derby victory, scoring 40 points in that period.
With about 1 minute left in the third quarter, the Clippers extended their lead to 30 points, 103-73. It was the game's biggest lead as the Lakers could not catch their rivals in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers, who last won their NBA title in 2020, got their fourth straight loss to be in the ninth spot in the Western Conference as they are going with a 27-35 win/loss record.
They are risking their chance to be in the play-in once the regular season will end in April.
Their rivals the Clippers have a 34-31 win/loss record to come eighth in the West.
The best six teams from the East and Western Conferences will directly qualify for the 2022 playoffs but the franchises, who finish seventh through 10th, will be in a play-in tournament prior to the playoffs. Four teams in each conference will vie for two playoff tickets in the East and West.
The NBA playoffs will start on April 16 with the traditional 16-team format after the play-in phase.
- Results:
Atlanta Hawks - Chicago Bulls: 130-124
Boston Celtics - Memphis Grizzlies: 120-107
Toronto Raptors - Detroit Pistons: 106-108
Brooklyn Nets - Miami Heat: 107-113
Dallas Mavericks - Golden State Warriors: 122-113
San Antonio Spurs - Sacramento Kings: 112-115
Los Angeles Clippers - Los Angeles Lakers: 132-111