Doc Rivers’ reminder helps Clippers win sixth in a row over Lakers

The Clippers have won six games in a row over the Lakers, their longest winning streak in the history of the rivalry.

When the teams played Sunday evening, the Clippers led by as many as 43 points before finishing with a 106-78 victory, holding the Lakers to the fewest points they’ve ever scored against their L.A. rival.

The Clippers’ recent dominance over the Lakers extends back to last season, after Clippers Coach Doc Rivers had a little talk with his team.

It all started on Oct. 29, 2013, when the Clippers and the Lakers played in a season opener. The Clippers were more focused on lobs than defense as they allowed the Lakers’ reserves to score 41 fourth-quarter points to give the Lakers the win.

After the game, the Clippers’ coach pulled his team aside.

“Doc kept saying we came out to entertain instead of compete,” J.J. Redick recalled Sunday. “He’s said that to us every time we’ve played them since. I think we haven’t lost since that game, we’ve gotten six straight. If we have that mind-set that we’re here to compete, and we’re not here to put on a show because we’re in Staples Center, and it’s Lakers-Clippers, then we’ll have success.”

Success they’ve had.

The Clippers have won their last six games against the Lakers by an average of 26.6 points, including a 48-point win on March 7 of last year, when the Clippers dealt the Lakers their worst loss in franchise history.

“This group in particular has done a really good job of not taking anything for granted and coming out and playing how we should play, especially down the stretch,” Blake Griffin said.