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LA Clippers: 3 reasons to not be concerned with the recent skid

Ryan Snellings|
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 14: The Los Angeles Clippers huddle after introductions before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on February 14, 2021 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 14: The Los Angeles Clippers huddle after introductions before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on February 14, 2021 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 04: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers in action against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 04, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 04: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers in action against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 04, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Reason to not be concerned for the LA Clippers: Clutch stats look bad but need context

If there’s a section that will get torn up, it’s this one. Twitter people, get those screenshot fingers ready.

The clutch stats are bad. That’s a fact. Per USA Today:

"They are last in overall field goal percentage and 26th in effective field goal percentage. They are 19th in offensive rating and last in net rating by a wide margin, which speaks to some defensive issues as well."

Pretty poopy, right?

There is a silver lining to be found though. The team has the fourth-fewest minutes played during clutch time with just 45 total minutes qualifying. That’s not a huge sample size and although the size has increased over the last couple of games, it’s still not a necessarily meaningful one.

For the record, of those clutch minutes, Kawhi Leonard has played in 39 of them while Paul George has only been available for 25.

Even so, the team is obviously aware of these issues and is working on it. While the shots didn’t fall last night in D.C., Ty Lue was much happier with the quality of the looks the team got. (Around 1:50 in the video).

He’s also working with his two stars and it’s an ongoing conversation on how to be better in those final minutes.

The clutch performance is something we obviously need to keep an eye on going forward but with a team this talented, it’s hard to believe that this is something that will continue to persist all season, especially when they are aware of the problems, have All-Star break to talk about it as a staff, and the players are actively working on addressing the issue.

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