Having lost four of their last five, the Clippers are close to getting their players healthy and acclimated for a daunting final 23 regular-season games

The LA Clippers have a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and it's Ivica Zubac. Although he didn't make the All-Star team, he's overdue to be recognized defensively.

Yet, they had a bad second quarter and could not close the gap. Ivica Zubac led the way with 27 points and 16 rebounds while shooting 13 for 15 from the field. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard had 21 points while shooting 8 for 17 from the floor. James Harden ...

Zubac amassed 27 points (13-15 FG, 1-2 FT), 16 rebounds and one block over 38 minutes during Friday's 106-102 loss to the Lakers. Zubac is enjoying the best season of his nine-year career. His full-time role as the Clippers' starting center has yielded a whopping 37 double-doubles and a career-high average of 32.

Coach Tyronn Lue says his team is up for the challenge of a tough closing schedule while looking to get leading scorer Norman Powell back in the lineup.

Luka Doncic scored 31 points on his 26th birthday and LeBron James had 28 points and 13 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers' fifth straight victory, 106-102 over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.

Ivica Zubac has a big night (27 points, 16 rebounds), but the Clippers squander opportunities with 18 turnovers and a poor shooting night from the perimeter in a 106-102 loss.

After the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to five games with a home victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, the teams will battle for the last time in the regular season on Sunday.

Zubac amassed 10 points (5-8 FG, 0-2 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 30 minutes during Wednesday's 122-117 win over the Bulls. While he barely got there, the double-double was his 36th of the season,

Clippers used to tout ‘Street Lights over Spotlights,’ but these new-look Lakers are winning with grit and glamour as their local rivals found out Friday night

The Lakers will face the L.A. Clippers on Sunday for the second straight time. This will be the last game between these two teams this season. A victory by the purple and gold at home would secure the season series 3-1 and ensure they have the tiebreaker over their inner-city rival.