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LA Clippers: 3 Takeaways from the Too-Close Win vs the Suns

By Seth Kimbrell

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 17: Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers yells to his players during the first half against the LA Clippers at Quicken Loans Arena on November 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 17: Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers yells to his players during the first half against the LA Clippers at Quicken Loans Arena on November 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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LA Clippers Paul George
LA Clippers Paul George (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

LA Clippers Takeaway #2: They Rely on the Threes

For the LA Clippers, it was another case of dominance from behind the arc. They shot 17-29 for a blistering 58.6%, including the aforementioned 7-10 performance from PG and 4-7 from Nicolas Batum.

Ty Lue’s system has the Clippers bombing threes, and for the most part it’s been working. The Clips currently sit at second in the league in 3 point percentage with a very nice 41.7% as a team.

It’s hard to argue with this approach, with as well as it’s been working. But let me voice a little bit of concern that’s almost certainly just small sample size theater.

The Clippers are relying on the three ball a lot. Their fortunes have really come and gone with their three point percentage, for the most part. Look at it this way: the all-time record for a team’s 3 point percentage in a season is 42.76% by the 1996-97 Hornets.

The Clips have shot better than that number in four games, and they’re 4-0 in those games. Fair enough. They’ve failed to shoot better than that record in 3 games, and they’re 1-2 in those games.

Again, this is small sample size stuff. I’m sure there are going to be plenty of games where the Clips are missing threes and still pull out a win. I just want to see it to be sure. In the playoffs, in a seven game series, good teams will take away some of the easy threes.

Don’t take this as me criticizing the system or saying it won’t work. I’ll just breathe a little easier when I see the Clips pull out some of those ugly wins.

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