The LA Clippers are scorching hot, riding a 16-3 wave and boasting a 24-13 record. Yet, despite James Harden's seamless integration and their newfound depth, their crosstown rivals, the Lakers fans, aren't buying the hype just yet.

Harden's arrival in November sparked a turnaround, with the Clippers winning 21 of their last 27 games. His 17.4 points, 8.4 assists, and seamless connection with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook have fueled a potent offensive attack.

However, the glaring question mark remains: can they beat the Lakers? In their two matchups this season, the Lakers have emerged victorious, with 130-125 and 106-103 wins. Both games saw the Clippers competitive but ultimately falling short due to defensive lapses down the stretch.

These defensive struggles, despite their offensive strides, are the elephant in the room for Clippers faithful. If they harbor serious playoff aspirations, shoring up their defensive weaknesses is paramount.

Lakers fans, basking in their team's 2-0 head-to-head record, remain unconvinced. Tweets like "Lost to the Lakers twice" and "Lakers still own them" echo throughout X (formerly Twitter), reflecting their skepticism towards the Clippers' recent surge.

Two more regular-season clashes await – on January 23rd and February 28th. These encounters will be litmus tests for the Clippers' true mettle, offering a chance to silence their doubters and cement their claim as legitimate contenders.