Five takeaways from the Lakers’ loss to the Clippers

The blowouts finally ended Friday. The Lakers almost won. But not quite. Here are five takeaways from a 118-111 loss Friday to the Clippers.

1) Kobe Bryant was so solid for 44 minutes. Then he missed some big shots. And got waved away by Jeremy Lin, who instead drilled a big three-pointer. But Bryant seemed satisfied afterward with the effort. And with Lin waving him away. “If you’re a chump, if you’re a pushover, I’ll run over you,” Bryant said.

2) Jordan Hill scored 23 points as he systematically picked apart the Clippers. Made 10 of 15 shots. Drilled mid-range jumper after mid-range jumper. Maybe his best game as a pro? Just maybe.

3) Lin had his best game with the Lakers, finishing with 17 points and nine assists. And, of course, the aforementioned waving off of Bryant.

4) The Lakers’ second unit did a good job of holding a small lead late in the third quarter and into the fourth. Names, please? Wayne Ellington, Ronnie Price, Jordan Clarkson, Ed Davis and Robert Sacre.

5) Clarkson keeps showing just enough to justify the Lakers spending $1.8 million to buy Washington’s second-round pick and draft him. The rookie stole the ball from Blake Griffin on one play and nailed a three-pointer on another.