Clipperholics
Fansided

What we learned from the LA Clippers’ win over Portland

By Ethan Smith

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers rebounds against Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on November 07, 2019 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers rebounds against Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on November 07, 2019 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

After a narrow loss to Milwaukee without Kawhi Leonard, the LA Clippers picked up win number six on the season over the Portland Trailblazers.

Load management is a topic on everyone’s mind in the NBA landscape at the moment, but for the LA Clippers, it’s pretty clear they value taking wins over Western Conference foes rather than Eastern Conference teams that won’t affect their standing too much.

After a narrow loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Clippers saw Kawhi Leonard return to the floor at Staples Center and once again lead the Clippers to victory, making the Clippers 6-1 when Leonard is on the floor.

Leonard dominated against the Blazers, leading all scorers with 27 points and reeling in 13 rebounds in an impressive performance. Lou Williams poured in another 26 points and fellow bench partner Montrezl Harrell added 15 points.

The real story, though, was the impressive play from 22-year-old center Ivica Zubac, who dominated Hassan Whiteside for most of the first half and finished the game with 15 points and 13 rebounds in only 20 minutes of play.

Zubac continued to keep offensive possessions going with his offensive rebounding performance against Whiteside, seeing nine offensive rebounds, albeit most of them coming in the first half.

Zubac also seems to play very comfortably around Leonard as both compliment each other very well in the pick-and-roll, usually allowing Leonard to get open for a patented mid-range jumper or Zubac to make a cut to the basket for an easy two points.

Last season, many shunned Zubac for his performance in the playoffs but as mentioned before, the kid is 22 years of age. At $7 million a season, if Zubac can continue to play this consistently, the Clippers may have gotten a steal and a key component to their title hopes not only this season but seasons to come.

Once again in this game against Portland, the defense of the Clippers shined, holding Portland to its lowest point output in the first half all season and holding the Blazers to a 37.5 field goal percentage and a 28.2 three-point percentage.

Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum scored 22 points each but shot a combined 18-46 from the field and 4-16 from three in large part to yet another impressive performance defensively from Leonard and Patrick Beverley. Neither Lillard nor McCollum scored in the fourth quarter.

As far as the Clippers shooting went though, shooting 4-23 from beyond the arc isn’t going to get it done against the superpowers of the Western Conference. Of course when Paul George returns the three-point shooting should improve, but when facing teams like the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, it will be imperative that the Clippers shoot well from distance.

Doc Rivers picked up his 900th career victory in this matchup, becoming the 13th coach in NBA history to do so. Rivers noted postgame that having Williams and Leonard down the stretch in any game is lethal and that the impressive fourth-quarter play must continue to win games.

Next. Slack Chat: Resting Kawhi shouldn't upset anyone. dark

The LA Clippers get some time off after the victory as Kawhi Leonard and company will welcome Leonard’s former team, the Toronto Raptors, Monday. It will be the first time Leonard faces off against Toronto since winning the NBA Championship with the team last season.

Home/Clippers News