The Clippers have no such problem. After the loss in Oklahoma City they get 2 full days off before tip. They need it. Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Ivica Zubac are all gone, Zubac to Indiana, and the team is now built around Darius Garland. The Washington Post called it a steep reset before the season started, and nobody in L.A. is arguing.
Still, the Clippers keep showing up. They hung 121 on Sacramento in a 25-point home win, played the Lakers to an 8-point game, and then led the 3-0 Thunder 46-43 at halftime in OKC. They were down just 1 after 3 quarters before Oklahoma City pulled away with a 31-25 4th. That's a team playing hard with whatever's left on the roster.
That's a lot left off the roster. Bradley Beal, Brandon Ingram, Max Strus, Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Jordan Miller are all out, and Strus's foot alone has a 4-week re-evaluation on it. The Clippers' depth is thin, and that matters most against a Lakers team whose stars have scored in bunches all week.
Then there's Doncic. The Lakers spotted Utah an 18-point lead after a 47-point first quarter from the Jazz, then won the 2nd quarter 45-24 behind Doncic's 52 points and 10 assists. Reaves chipped in 29, and that was also on no rest. The worry for the Lakers isn't the offense. It's a defense that gave up 123 in Utah, now playing a second straight night. If the Clippers' shooters get any space, this could be a lot closer than the first meeting.