What we learned from the LA Clippers’ victory over the Shanghai Sharks

Don’t put too much stock into turnovers, fouls

Last season, the LA Clippers averaged 14.5 turnovers and 23.3 fouls per game. So far this preseason, those numbers have hiked up to 21.5 and 34.0, respectively. So what does that mean?

Nothing, honestly.

The turnovers are to be expected. This roster has played two games together now, so the familiarity level is low, even if a lot of them were here last season. New plays, sets, roles, positions, etc. all lead to turnovers, and with such an enormous roster (LA played 16 different players yesterday, one more than is even allowed on the regular season roster), it’s no surprise that this is happening. Turnovers are simply a staple of preseason basketball.

Fouls can be lumped into that conversation as well. In addition to all of the things that lead to turnovers, fouls are more common because preseason referees tend to whistle everything.

In LA’s first two preseason performances, there have been 127 total fouls called — roughly 32 per team per game. That’s an absurd number, and once we move into the regular season (and especially the postseason) they should let teams play things out more often.

These players are still figuring things out. What works, what doesn’t, who will do what and who won’t. As they work out the kinks, the number of errors will decrease and they’ll start to look like a much more refined team.

For now, though, it’s really nothing to worry about.

With Sunday’s victory, the LA Clippers have finished up in Hawaii and will return home. Their next preseason game will take place Thursday night, when they host the Denver Nuggets at 7:30 p.m. PST.