Caruso, Caldwell secure win for Lakers over Clippers

Alex Caruso scored 32 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 25 as the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a 122-117 victory over the playoff-bound Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Caruso, who is on a two-way contract with the Lakers and did not make his first start with them until Thursday, shot 5 of 7 from 3-point range. He had career highs in points and rebounds (10) while adding five assists.

The Lakers went 8 of 12 from long distance in the fourth quarter. Danilo Gallinari scored 27 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 20 as the Clippers lost their second consecutive game after a stretch when they had won eight of nine.

The Clippers remain in the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference, but they are just a half-game ahead of the seventh-place Oklahoma City Thunder with two games to play. The Clippers led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter and appeared to be on their way toward an easy victory when the Lakers made their charge. The Clippers still held an 86-84 lead heading into the fourth quarter when the game took a turn.

The Lakers went on a 9-0 run to grab the 111-102 lead with 3:30 remaining and held on from there. The Lakers outscored the Clippers 38-31 in the final quarter. Rajon Rondo, who wound up with 15 points and 12 assists, hit three fourth-quarter 3-pointers.

The Lakers managed to win for the fifth time in their past eight games playing with a limited roster that did not include LeBron James (out for the season, rest), Lonzo Ball (ankle), Kyle Kuzma (foot) and Brandon Ingram (shoulder). After the Clippers had won the season series against the Lakers in each of the past six seasons, the Lakers managed to finish 2-2 against their in-town rivals.

The Clippers have two games remaining on their regular-season schedule as they aim to hold on to the sixth spot in the conference. They play at Golden State on Sunday and at home against the Jazz on Wednesday. The Lakers conclude with home games against Utah on Sunday and Portland on Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies.)