The Clippers Willie Reed #35 looks to shoot and is fouled by the Lakers Jordan Clarkson #6 during their pre-season NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Clippers Willie Reed #35 looks to shoot and is fouled by the Lakers Jordan Clarkson #6 during their pre-season NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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Lakers coach Luke Walton during their pre-season NBA game against the Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Lakers coach Luke Walton with Alex Caruso #4 and Jordan Clarkson #6 during their pre-season NBA game against the Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Clippers coach Doc Rivers during their pre-season NBA game against the Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)



The Lakers Brook Lopez #11 during their pre-season NBA game against the Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Lakers coach Luke Walton during their pre-season NBA game against the Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

LA Clippers guard C.J. Williams, center, goes up for the shot as Los Angeles Laker forward Julius Randle, back, defends ahead of guard Josh Hart during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, left, goes up for a dunk past Los Angeles Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Tyrone Wallace, right, loses the handle on the ball as Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson defends as forward Julius Randle (30) waches during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)



Los Angeles Clippers guard Jawun Evans shoots ovewr Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Ike Iroegbu goes up for a shot on a fast break during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Clippers guard C.J. Williams shoots while Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram defends during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

The Clippers Blake Griffin #32 during their pre-season NBA game against the Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Clippers coach Doc Rivers during their pre-season NBA game against the Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)



The Clippers Tyrone Wallace #12 shoots as the Lakers Alex Caruso #4 defends during their pre-season NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Clippers Ike Iroegbu #19 lays the ball up as Lakers Julius Randle #30 and Josh Hart #5 defend during their pre-season NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Clippers Montrezl Harrell #5 shoots as the Lakers Brook Lopez #11 defends during their pre-season NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Clippers Jawun Evans #1 lays the ball up during their pre-season NBA game against the Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Lakers Thomas Bryant #31 passes the ball around the Clippers Jawun Evans #1 during their pre-season NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)



The Clippers Tyrone Wallace #12 drives to the basket as the Lakers Brandon Ingram #14 defends during their pre-season NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, October 13, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

LA Clippers guard C.J. Williams, center, goes up for the shot as Los Angeles Laker forward Julius Randle, back, defends ahead of guard Josh Hart during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, left, goes up for a dunk past Los Angeles Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Tyrone Wallace, right, loses the handle on the ball as Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson defends as forward Julius Randle (30) waches during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Jawun Evans shoots ovewr Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)



Los Angeles Clippers forward Ike Iroegbu goes up for a shot on a fast break during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Clippers guard C.J. Williams shoots while Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram defends during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Tyrone Wallace, left, attempts to grab the rebound in front of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Brice Johnson, right, fouls Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Lakers center Brook Lopez shoots during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)



Los Angeles Lakers center Thomas Bryant, left, and Los Angeles Clippers forward Brice Johnson reach for a rebound during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers yells to his team during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard C.J. Williams defends during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

LOS ANGELES — It sure seems like Luke Walton wants Larry Nance Jr. to win the starting power forward position.

He paired Nance with Brook Lopez in each of the three exhibition games the center was on the floor, and has insisted that deciding who wins the Lakers’ last position battle is more nuanced than comparing the stats of Nance, Julius Randle and Kyle Kuzma.

“It is more than who is playing better than the other two,” Walton said.

In a 111-104 win over the Clippers on Friday that marked the end of the Lakers’ preseason slate, however, Nance played himself off the court by committing three turnovers in fewer than 90 seconds. The emotion Walton usually can count on from Nance was being channeled into frustration rather than buoyant energy.

“He needs to get better at using his emotions, controlling his emotions to give us energy,” Walton said. “I think tonight he let the emotions get the better of him so it wasn’t a great example of what we think we’ll see with that group.”

Nice half court pass from BI finds Larry out in front for the dunk (📺: @SpectrumSN, @spectdeportes, & TNT) pic.twitter.com/5t49tEaLgV — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 14, 2017

Nance finished with four points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes. If he was looking for a game to seal his job as the opening night starter, that probably wasn’t it. Meanwhile, Randle scored 15 points in 13 productive minutes.

A third-year forward who is among the Lakers’ more explosive athletes, Nance has been quiet throughout the preseason. However, Walton appreciates the way he can move the ball within the offense, make plays defensively and balance out Lopez, who scored a team-high 16 points Friday.

Nance called Lopez, acquired over the summer from Brooklyn, “a superstar center,” and said he has enjoyed learning to play alongside the 7-footer.

“He is a super cerebral player, like I like to think of myself,” Nance said, “and defensively he talks great and I can learn from that.”

From an offensive standpoint, there is logic to bringing Randle, an offensive creator off the bench, while Nance, a more reactive player, might benefit from playing with Lonzo Ball.

“I just want to be on the court,” Nance said. “I just want to make a difference in the game. Whatever facet that may be, it is up to Luke.”

Nance did not bristle when presented with Walton’s criticisms of his emotions. He recalled the moment his coach came to him on the bench, after he capped his frustrating run by missing two free throws.

“He is saying instead of channeling that negatively by saying ‘Damn, I made some mistakes’ and putting my head down, instead, go make up for it. Get a steal, go chase down some blocked shots, go dunk on somebody.”

Kuzma came out of nowhere to score 104 preseason points, the most in the NBA. After leading the Lakers in scoring in four of their first five games, Kuzma finished with eight points against the Clippers, shooting 1 for 8 from the field and missing all six of his 3-point attempts.

The rookie drafted late in the first round out of Utah is probably the odd man out in the three-way race. With Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram on the court, the starting unit is already young and short on experience.

“Whoever ends up being that position for us, with the young team that we have, we expect there to be some leadership out of that spot,” Walton said.

Still, on Friday, Walton gave Kuzma a 10 percent chance of starting.

“There’s going to be some tough decisions to be made coming up here pretty soon,” Walton said. “But decisions that are tough but good decisions.”

BALL SITS AGAIN

In hindsight, it was always a long shot that Ball would play Friday.

“Only if he was pain-free,” Walton said. “It was, ‘Go get your treatment, do what you can do, let us know if you feel 100 percent and we’ll play you six minutes,’ type of thing.”

Ball practiced Thursday and was on the court for Friday’s shootaround, but told Walton he was still “a little sore.”

He would have played were it the regular season, Walton said, when the standard for when a player sits changes.

“If he’s limping around and he’s favoring it, then no, he’s out,” Walton said. “If it’s just painful but he’s able to move normal and everything else, in the regular season we expect him to play.”