MORNING WRAP: La Canada HS grad Collin Morikawa chases PGA title, and more on Lakers, Clippers
The Morning Wrap shares the day’s top five stories from our reporters at the Southern California Newspaper Group … And have everything delivered to you in our daily newsletters
SUNDAY, AUG. 9
ONE: Could local golfer Collin Morikawa, who graduated at La Canada High School and went on to play at Cal, win the PGA championship? Morikawa shot a 65 on Saturday and is among the leaders heading into Sunday’s final round, columnist Jim Alexander reports.
Up Next: Sunday’s final round, CBS
Colin Morikawa on his chances: “I’ve got to be ready for hole one, and then be physically and mentally prepared through 18. I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of swings, a lot of lead changes, a lot of good play out there, a lot of bad play, who knows. But I can just control what I can do, so hopefully I get off to a good start.”
Alexander: Former Cal star Collin Morikawa is in the hunt on final day
The guys chasing DJ––who has a history of shaky Sundays. This any good? pic.twitter.com/lnP17wS65u
— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) August 9, 2020
TWO: The Lakers have strugged with consistency through six games in the Orlando bubble, but they also clinched the top seed in the Western Conference, so are their recent shooting woes and losses concerning with two games to go before the playoffs? Reporter Kyle Goon explores.
Next up: Lakers vs. Nuggets, Monday, 6 p.m.
Amid another disjointed effort, with LeBron on fire and AD ice cold, and another new rotation, does it matter that the Lakers are 2-4 in the restart? Lit up by the bubble MVP in a third straight loss, it's hard to articulate what it all means:https://t.co/6y6qhSrZCV
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) August 9, 2020
What LeBron James said: “This is a different situation than any situation I’ve been in so it’s kind of hard to say, ‘Okay, well the playoffs is right around the corner, this is where we’re going to be.’ We’re literally in a — we’re in a bubble — it’s kind of hard to explain.”
LeBron misses the fans. pic.twitter.com/Hcbw6mKkva
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) August 9, 2020
THREE: The Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard, Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell and they still beat Portland, 122-117, who is fighting for the final playoff spot and a chance to face the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. But the fun came later in postgame exchanges, reporter Mirjam Swanson writes.
Next up: Clippers vs. Nets, today, 6 p.m.
Portland’s Damian Lillard took exception to the Clippers celebrating so jubilantly on the bench, particularly Paul George and Beverley, saying: “The reason they’re reacting like that is because of what they expect from me. Which is a sign of respect. And it just shows what I’ve done at a high clip more times than not, so I’m not offended. If anything, it should just tell you how much it hurt them to go through what I put them through in those situations previously.”
On Social Media, there was this …
Paul George: “Some people can play and talk and some people can’t.” (Video: @kylegoon) pic.twitter.com/sySByKpjJL
— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) August 8, 2020
NBA bubble drama between Paul George and Damian Lillard. pic.twitter.com/HwyQ6OXcrm
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 8, 2020
FOUR: Pitching was not the Angels’ problem on Saturday, getting a great effort from Patrick Sandoval and wasting it in a 2-0 loss to the Texas Rangers. In other news, why is pitcher Hansel Robles’ have trouble with fastball? Reporter Jeff Fletcher explains.
Next up: Angels at Rangers, today, 11:35 a.m.
Patrick Sandoval came up on the short end of this battle of OC pitchers, but it wasn't his fault. The #Angels hitters are in a collective funk. https://t.co/bSf1aQRFz2
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 9, 2020
Angels manager Joe Maddon said: “Offensively, you look at the numbers you know they’re going to get better. The guys are better than that. We’re better than that. So in the meantime you just got to be patient, support them and keep throwing them back out there.”
FIVE: Clayton Kershaw struggled for the Dodgers, but they nearly rallied from 5-0 deficit before losing 5-4 to the Giants on Saturday. Justin Turner hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning, but it wasn’t enough to bring the Dodgers all the way back.
Next up: Giant at Dodgers, today, 1:10 p.m.
Johnny Cueto gave the Dodgers nothing to work with Saturday. The baseball gods did, but it wasn't enough in a 5-4 loss to the Giants: https://t.co/2U7wnJGPuH
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 9, 2020
And there was this from reporter J.P. Hoornstra ..
#Dodgers notes: The surprising connection between Edwin Rios and Barry Larkin; an update on Corey Seager; catchers, starting pitchers, and Max Muncy's finger injury: https://t.co/BMRbXj7Ivx
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 9, 2020