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LA Clippers: What Mo Speights can do against the Utah Jazz

By Blake Harris

December 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) reacts after scoring a basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) reacts after scoring a basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) heads down court after a 3 point basket in the second half of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Kings won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) heads down court after a 3 point basket in the second half of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Kings won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Setting Career Highs

Let’s switch things over to this season. Mo Buckets is having a solid year off the bench, averaging 8.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 made three’s per game. Not only is he averaging a career-high in three-point makes per game, he tripled his previous career high in three-point attempts per game, attempting over three a game.

Speights, who was off to a career year, has cooled off since the All-Star break. The eight-year big was averaging 10 points a game heading into All-Star weekend. Ever since, he’s averaging just six points. Although his field goal percentage has improved, his three-point percentage has seen an eight percent decline.

As I mentioned, Mo Buckets is shooting the three at a career pace. He’s made over 100 three’s, which is four times the amount as his career high in which is set last season. More than 50% of his shots this season have come from 20+ feet.  It’s safe to say you won’t see him near the basket all too much.

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Everyone knows what Mo’s bread and butter shot is. It’s that catch-and-shoot three at the top of the key. About 44% of his shots this season have come from that spot alone, connecting on 37% of his attempts. It’s interesting that Mo Buckets is so content with that spot, as he’s quite successful from the corners. In 33 attempts, Speights has connected on 15 corner three’s, which is good for 45%.

Not only is he doing it on the offensive end, but he’s also doing it on the defensive end. Speights has taken 33 charges this season, which is one behind Ersan Ilyasova for the NBA lead.

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