鲍尔默和卢指导在赛前的心情并不轻松：我们的防守效率排名联盟第二，场均失分位列第三，但经过这场比赛后，防守效率直接掉到了第三名。老詹表现得异常出色，他一对一击败了祖巴茨、琼斯、邓恩以及小凯文-波特等人，为湖人的胜利奠定基础。
湖人展现出了完美的团队配合：40岁的老詹承担起核心领袖角色，在面对快船夹击时依然游刃有余，而全队更是投中了18记三分球，让对手无从招架。通过单打吸引包夹，老詹为其他射手创造了大量空位机会，他们毫不留情地将这些机会转化为得分。这种高效模式不仅让球队受益，更是在欢迎东契奇归来的过程中展示大家的才华。
尽管快船理论上拥有内线优势，但他们显然无法有效应对湖人的挡拆进攻。在这种情况下，快船原本自豪的防守体系被逐个瓦解，无论是大阵容还是五小阵容，都面临着巨大的压力。当快船选择摆大阵容时，老詹点名攻击祖巴茨；而当换成小阵容，又成为了针对小凯文-波特。因此，他们只能延误返位或进行夹击，这些战术在老詹超强视野下几乎变成送分题——他交出的成绩单显示26分9助，全方位统治比赛。
首发电风扇与替补范德彪两者相结合，使哈登和卡子哥倍感压力，两人合计23次投篮仅命中6球。而由里夫斯带动起来的湖人在三节半时间内就彻底压制住了快船。
海斯连续第三场作为首发出战，此前浓眉因腹部拉伤缺席，对抗奇才和尼克斯之役。然而，目前这套新首发组合却展现出良好的化学反应。保持不变的是：老詹+里夫斯+八村塁+海斯四人，而3D锋线电风扇则取代负责3D后卫工作的克里斯蒂进入先发位置。这意味着即使在浓眉及东契奇缺席期间，新组成仍能流畅运行，只需调整轮换人员即可实现平稳过渡。
此次比赛中，如同上一场一样，通过挡拆策略直指祖巴茨。本来具有内线优势但移动速度较慢的他，也因此成为众矢之敌。在第一回合中的一次挡拆尝试中，由于选择让祖巴茨参与夹击，因此导致给到海克牌的大空位机会。而随着局势的发展，仅靠这一方式已难以限制住他的发挥，因为外线上还有如里夫斯、八村塁、电风扇这样的优质射手埋伏待机.
Lakers' defensive arrangements were meticulous, with Hayes effectively cutting off opponents at the free throw line. Whenever Powell or Carter Jr. attempted to penetrate through screens, Hayes would swiftly help switch defenses while Hachimura and the fan could contain Zubac in low post situations—Hayes even managed to limit Carter Jr.'s mid-range attempts twice during crucial moments of fast breaks.
The Lakers opted for a strategy where they allowed Jones some open three-pointers while focusing on shutting down other key players like Zubac and Harden. Their defense was clearly defined; knowing that it’s unrealistic to lock up every offensive threat individually, they utilized their resources wisely against various weak spots across Clippers’ lineup.
Lakers Dominate With Versatile Lineups
A combination of one big man surrounded by four shooters proved effective against the Clippers as LeBron James and Reeves alternated taking charge offensively which left Zubac struggling defensively throughout much of this encounter.
The first wave saw them swap out Hayes for a small-ball lineup; whoever guarded Zubac ended up being targeted relentlessly via pick-and-roll actions leaving him exposed time after time - an ordeal made worse when he had no choice but face-off directly with James who thrived under pressure from his defenders outside shooting range!
This game highlighted how critical spacing is within any offense:
>No matter what size configuration either team tried deploying: whether larger units meant trying crowding inside lanes yet failing stop penetration caused quick collapses forcing rotations leading back towards perimeter threats waiting patiently...
