Patrick Beverley's clutch defence helps Clippers snatch victory over Lakers on Christmas Day

Benyam Kidane

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Patrick Beverley's clutch defence helps Clippers snatch victory over Lakers on Christmas Day image

The blockbuster matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers came right down to the wire, with the Clippers coming up big down the stretch to seal the 111-106 win. 

Kawhi Leonard led the charge with 35 points, 12 rebounds and five assists to give the Clippers a 2-0 season series record against the Lakers, while handing them their fourth-straight defeat. 

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Patrick Beverley was the hero down the stretch, coming up with a big defensive stop on LeBron James to seal the win.

If you missed any of the action, check below for live updates, highlights, stats and more from a battle between two of the best teams in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers: live score, updates, highlights

BOX SCORE | PLAY-BY-PLAY

FINAL: Clippers 111, Lakers 106

With the Lakers trailing by three points down the stretch, Patrick Beverley came up with the defensive stop on LeBron James' three-point attempt, sealing the W for the Clippers.


After struggling with his shot all game, LeBron James turned it up in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 23 points in the final frame, but it wasn't enough as the Clippers held their nerve down the stretch.

James finished one rebound shy of a triple-double with 23 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, while Anthony Davis added 24 points and Kyle Kuzma 25. 

Leonard scored 11 of his game-high 35 points in the fourth quarter, while Montrezl Harrell added 18 points and six rebounds off the bench. Paul George scored just 17 points on a tough shooting night, going 5-of-18 from the field. 

Beverley finished with eight points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal. 

End of third quarter: Lakers 86, Clippers 86

We have a ball game!

The Clippers outscored the Lakers 35-23 in the third quart to erase the 12-point half-time deficit.

Kawhi Leonard has 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists through three quarters, while Zubac is up to 11 points and eight rebounds. 

Kyle Kuzma kept things ticking over for the Lakers. He's up to a season-high 25 points. 

Half-time: Lakers 63, Clippers 51

The Lakers closed the first half on a 17-2 run to take a 12-point lead into the break.

LeBron James struggled to get going offensively in the first half, but he was at his playmaking best, finding open shooters on the three-point line. He recorded eight points on 3-of-11 shooting, adding seven rebounds and seven assists. 

Anthony Davis closed out the half with three free throws to make it 14 points in the first half, while Kyle Kuzma continued to fill it up in the second quarter, finishing the half with 19 points.

Kuzma contributed the bulk of the Lakers' bench points as their reserves outscored the Clippers bench 35-12 - the most points scored in any half this season by the Laker bench.

The Lakers swung the momentum in their favour on the defensive end, recording eight blocks in the first half, including this huge chasedown from KCP.


Kawhi Leonard leads the Clippers with 18 points and seven rebounds at the half. Paul George has just seven points on 3-of-11 from the field. 

End of first quarter: Lakers 33, Clippers 31

The first quarter belonged to Kyle Kuzma, who exploded for 15 points in just six minutes off the bench, trading buckets with Kawhi Leonard.


Leonard asserted himself midway through the period with a string of points from mid-range. He leads the Clippers with 14 points.

LeBron James moved up to second place on the all-time Christmas Day games played list, trailing only Kobe Bryant.

Pre-game

Starting lineups

Clippers:  Patrick Beverley, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Patrick Patterson, Ivica Zubac

Lakers:  Avery Bradley, Danny Green, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, JaVale McGee

Paul George can't wait to play at home for Christmas.

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.