LA Clippers: 3 things to watch for versus the Indiana Pacers

Here are three things to watch for when the Indiana Pacers visit the LA Clippers.

The LA Clippers return home on Sunday night after putting a beating on the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. This time, they will host the Indiana Pacers who were just part of the biggest trade of the season.

Can the Clippers net their tenth win of the season? Here’s three things to watch for as they attempt to do so.

1.  What to watch for from the LA Clippers: Can the superstars deliver again?

Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have been on an absolute tear to start the season. On Friday, the two combined for 53 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds in just 58 minutes total. That’s extremely efficient.

It wasn’t just that game though. The two have been outstanding to start the season, particularly George who is having an MVP type of season. After he struggled in the postseason, George made sure everyone knew that this year would be different. Through thirteen games, he is seemingly backing up his words, averaging 23.5 points, 5.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting lights out from the field. He’s converted on 50.3% of his shots which includes a blistering 51.5% from deep on 8.3 attempts per game.

Yes, you read that right.

Leonard’s numbers haven’t been as flashy or talked about, but it’s well worth noting that he is averaging a career-high 6.0 assists per game. (His previous career-high, set last season, was 4.9.) There was a lot of talk during the preseason about the Clippers lacking a point guard to playmake but if Leonard keeps this up, those worries will be unwarranted.

Tonight, versus the Pacers, the two should have a relatively easy time. Myles Turner has been ruled out, so the Pacers lose their best defender. Caris LeVert, part of the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets deal, will miss some time after a mass was found on his kidney during his physical for the trade.

George and Leonard will face up against the Holiday brothers, Justin and Aaron, who aren’t bad players but just won’t have the necessary tools to really stop either superstar. The Clippers should see both deliver big again, hopefully leading to some rest for the pair again in the fourth quarter.