Tune-In Tidbits: ABC Sunday, April 4, 2021

Paul George scored a game-high 33 points in the Clippers’ season-opening win over the Lakers on Dec. 22.

Lakers (31-18) at Clippers (32-18)
3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

• The Clippers won the first meeting of the season with the Lakers, 116-109 on opening night after the Lakers received their 2019-20 championship rings. Paul George (33) and Kawhi Leonard (26) combined for 59 points in the win – tied for their fourth-highest combined total this season. The Clippers are 12-2 this season when George and Leonard combine for at least 50 points.

• The Lakers have been without both Anthony Davis and LeBron James since LeBron left in the second quarter against Atlanta on March 20 with a high ankle sprain. In seven games without the two All-Stars, the Lakers have gone 3-4 with the trio of Dennis Schroder (18.9 ppg, 7.1 apg), Montrezl Harrell (18.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg) and Kyle Kuzma (17.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.3 apg) leading the way.

• The Lakers have only eight five-man lineups that have shared the court for at least 20 minutes that do not include either LeBron James or Anthony Davis. The top offensive lineup (126.1 OffRtg in 22 minutes) has featured Wesley Matthews, Dennis Schroder, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma. The top defensive lineup (70.4 DefRtg in 23 minutes) has swapped Matthews for Talen Horton-Tucker.

• In the seven games without LeBron or Anthony Davis, the Lakers’ defense has remained strong with a defensive efficiency rating of 103.2 (third in the league since March 21). Where the Lakers have missed their stars the most is on offense as they have an offensive efficacy rating of 101.3 (29th in the league) over their past seven games. The Lakers’ defense will be put to the test as the Clippers offense ranks second in the lag (118.6) since March 21.

• Since the Lakers and Clippers began playing at Staples Center in 1999, the Lakers lead the head-to-head series 46-39. The teams are an even 21-21 with the Clippers designated as the home team as they will be on Sunday. All but one of the past eight games in the series has been decided by single digits – including the last four.