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Los Angeles Clippers: 3 takeaways from impressive 115-112 win over Houston

Johaan Forbes-Anthony|
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 21: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates after scoring a basket against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Staples Center on October 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 21: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates after scoring a basket against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Staples Center on October 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 21: LA Clippers mascot is seen during the game between the Houston Rockets and the LA Clippers on October 21, 2018 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 21: LA Clippers mascot is seen during the game between the Houston Rockets and the LA Clippers on October 21, 2018 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Clippers went against the NBA grain as they crashed and bashed their way in the paint to defeat the Houston Rockets.

The Los Angeles Clippers rose above .500 for the first time this season, holding off the Chris Paul-less Houston Rockets in a 115-112 win at Staples Center.

James Harden unsurprisingly stuffed the stat sheet for the Rockets, however, it wasn’t enough to overcome a true team effort from Doc Rivers‘ team, displaying plenty of grit and determination to earn their second win of the season.

Here are three takeaways from the victory last night.

1. For the first time in a long time, the Clippers’ identity is showing through very early in the season

It feels like a recurring theme that we constantly hear players or coaches mentioning during press conferences during December and January that a team is still searching for their identity.

But for the 2018/19 Clippers, that may not be the case.

Prior to the season beginning, Patrick Beverley dubbed the team’s new nickname as ‘Clamp City’, and while it will take time for the Clippers to live up to that billing as an elite defensive team, they have all the attributes necessary to do so and have already begun to show signs of what they’re capable of.

The Clippers had eight steals and seven blocks in Sunday’s win over the Rockets, including a pivotal, potentially game-saving block from Lou Williams on James Harden that sent the crowd into raptures.

It’s one thing for players to talk the talk, but when a guy, not often known for his chase-down blocks or defensive prowess in general starts making plays like that, it’s a sign that there’s a clear buy-in from the group as they look to make some noise in the sure to be cramped Western Conference standings.

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