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LA Clippers bounce back with victory over New Orleans Pelicans

Ryan Snellings|
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 03: Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers reacts during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on December 3, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 03: Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers reacts during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on December 3, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

The LA Clippers bounced back from their loss Sunday night by picking up a tough win in New Orleans against Anthony Davis and the Pelicans.

The LA Clippers came into New Orleans on the second night of a road back-to-back after losing in Dallas on Sunday. After already dropping one to the Pelicans earlier in the season, this became a must win. The team did not disappoint, winning by a final score of 129-126.

Tobias Shines

While the game was another team victory with five players scoring in double digits, Tobias Harris was the brightest spot for the team.

He struggled in Dallas, but bounced back in a big way scoring 27 points on 62.5% shooting from the field. This kind of scoring performance is becoming the norm for Tobias who was also awarded the Western Conference Player of the Month for his play to start the season.

It’d been said that the Clippers don’t have a star, but Tobias is quickly proving the doubters wrong.

Lou Shows Up Late

While leading by just one point late in the game, Lou Williams worked his fourth quarter magic. He faded left, knocking down a two pointer which sealed the game for the Clippers with just 6 seconds left in the game.

Lou led the team in scoring in the fourth quarter with 8 points, but none were bigger than those two.

His 20 points in total was needed, especially considering that the Pelicans had two 30+ point scorers (Jrue Holiday and Julius Randle, who set a career high) and Anthony Davis putting up 23.

Rebounding Woes

This is one of those times where the eye test makes the box score seem useless. The Clippers struggled again on the glass. Everyone saw it.

However, if you pull up the NBA box score, you’ll see they out-rebounded the Pelicans 39-35. The Pels only had a slight advantage on the offensive boards, out-rebounding the Clips 10-7.

The big issue though is second chance points. While there was only a three rebound discrepancy on the offensive end, the New Orleans outscored LA 17-8 in second chance points.

Rebounding has been an issue for the Clips all year but has been really magnified when going against elite big men as they have for the past two games. They get another one in Memphis with Marc Gasol on Wednesday, so something will need to change.

It may mean slowing down the pace on offense to have another guy or two crash the boards as the team’s big men just don’t seem to be getting the job done. Whatever the case, Doc Rivers needs to address it sooner rather than later.

The Clippers travel to Memphis on Wednesday for a rematch with the Grizzlies.

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