Prior to Thursday night, the last time the Los Angeles Lakers picked up a meaningful win was over the L.A. Clippers on a Sunday in early March. They were the designated road team, but like the 2019-20 season opener, plenty of Lakers fans filled Staples Center.
Just as their two previous head-to-head meetings, the atmosphere and intensity mirrored that of a playoff matchup. So when the NBA unveiled its restart schedule for the Walt Disney World bubble, the Lakers and Clippers matching up on the first night, there was anticipation but also questions over how it would unfold in a vastly unique setting.