Flashback: Clippers destroy Lakers 132-111, sweep season series again!

The L.A. Clippers (36-39) made the Lakers (31-43) feel miserable again, after a 132-111 blowout! The growing gap between these franchises’ season was never more apparent. The arena co-tenants ended their season series separated by one place and 5 1/2 games in the Western Conference standings but a gulf in demeanor and momentum even wider than this final margin.

It is the first time the Clippers have swept four meetings against their rivals in the same season since 2015-16. The Clippers are 32-7 against the Lakers since the 2012-13 season and have won five in a row overall.

“They’re the better team.” - James said.

After the Lakers trimmed a 17-point second-quarter deficit to three at halftime, Lue entered the locker room calm.

“T-Lue just kind of comes in calm, smiles and he’s like, ‘Hey, we’re in a great place,’” Jackson said. “‘If we stop turning the ball over, we’re in a great place.’”

The Clippers scored 23 consecutive points in the third to spark a game that was over, finally, when Clippers guard Reggie Jackson drilled a three-pointer while chants of his first name’s two syllables hung in the air after a chippy exchange with Russell Westbrook on his way to 36 points with less than four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Clippers outscored their rivals by 44 points in Jackson’s 35 minutes.

“He loves the moment, he’s a big-time player,” Lue said. “I know sometimes we go back and forth but at the end of the day he’s held us together all year.”

With the Clippers’ lead a stunning 29 with 3:57 left, there was no time for Lue to stop James entering the ensuing timeout — because the coach and Jackson were waving their arms in the air, asking for more noise on a night their season’s defining motto could not be made more clear.