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What the Los Angeles Lakers need to get past the Los Angeles Clippers

By Jason Reed

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (L) drives past Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (R) during a Christmas Day National Basketball Association (NBA) match-up between the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on December 25, 2019. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (L) drives past Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (R) during a Christmas Day National Basketball Association (NBA) match-up between the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on December 25, 2019. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. A career-defining performance out of Anthony Davis

Last year was Kawhi Leonard‘s year. He carried the Toronto Raptors into the NBA Finals, caught the Golden State Warriors at the perfect time and as a result, Toronto got its first-ever NBA Championship.

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The two years prior to that were Kevin Durant‘s years. While he did join the greatest regular-season team in NBA history, he was undoubtedly the best player on those Golden State Warriors teams and went toe-to-toe with LeBron James and beat him.

Some expect an act two out of Kawhi, others expect this year to be Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s. If the Los Angeles Lakers are going to get past the Los Angeles Clippers and win the NBA Championship, it has to be Anthony Davis‘.

Davis has reminded NBA fans that forgot about him that he is one of the five best players in the NBA this season. Davis is averaging 26.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game while arguably being the Defensive Player of the Year.

Davis is especially important in a series against the Clippers because of his size and how it matches up against the Clippers. The only Clipper that could really stop Davis is Montrezl Harrell, giving the Lakers arguably the best matchup in the league against a team that is filled with elite defensive players.

Davis has to be the guy, not only in this playoff series but in the entirety of the playoffs. We all know what LeBron James is capable of and there are question marks around some of the role players. Davis will be the ultimate difference and if he has a career-defining postseason then the Lakers will undoubtedly win it all in 2020.

There are reasons to believe that we can get this out of Davis as well. In his limited postseason career (13 games), Davis has averaged 30.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.

Can the Los Angeles Lakers win in a series where LeBron James is the best player? Absolutely. And can they win if the Clippers end up being the second seed and avoid the Rockets? Yes, of course.

Lakers' biggest concerns during road to Finals. dark. Next

But in a playoff series where we are splitting hairs, the Los Angeles Lakers need anything possible to go in their favor. One thing is in their control, one thing is not. If both things happen, the Clippers will be going home early.

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