What we learned from the LA Clippers’ loss to Houston

HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers is ejected by referee Tony Brothers #25 during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on November 13, 2019 in Houston, Texas. 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 Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers is ejected by referee Tony Brothers #25 during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on November 13, 2019 in Houston, Texas. 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 Bob Levey/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 06: LA Clippers forward Paul George #13 before the NBA game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the LA Clippers on November 06, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 06: LA Clippers forward Paul George #13 before the NBA game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the LA Clippers on November 06, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

LA’s three-point struggles could be solved soon

After playing a team-high 40 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Houston Rockets, chances are Kawhi Leonard does not play against the New Orleans Pelicans Thursday night — paving the way for Paul George to make his LA Clippers debut.

It’ll take some time for George to get back into basketball shape. He’ll have a lot of rust to shake off before we can expect him to go out and drop 25+ points on any given night. But until then, he should be good for some three-point support and stout defense, which could turn begin to fix LA’s lackluster shooting from range.

George is as good as shooters come. He’s become better from deep with nearly every season he’s spent in the NBA, making it look especially easy last year after shooting nearly 39 percent on 9.8 three-point attempts per game.

Obviously, George will make his presence felt elsewhere. But his scoring ability could be an immediate fix for an offense that has regressed since it scored 122 points against the Phoenix Suns on October 26.

Paul George will almost certainly make his LA Clippers debut Thursday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Chances are he’ll be on a minutes restriction, but we should still get to see a good sample of what he’ll bring to this team.