LA Clippers: 3 Big Questions Facing the Clippers Right Now
LA Clippers Big Question #3: Is the Defense For Real?
The LA Clippers have been on another level defensively lately. After a slow start, the Clips have been a top 5 defense by Defensive Rating since the All-Star Break. While much of the credit belongs to Ivica Zubac for anchoring the lineups, we can’t ignore the fact that everybody is buying in and putting forth effort on the defensive end.
The question is: is this run of defensive dominance just a hot streak, or is it indicative of the defense we can expect to see when the postseason rolls around? If the LA Clippers can continue performing at this level, a deep playoff run is well within reach.
Much of this question will hinge on health. Can Patrick Beverley stay healthy and perform at a high level? What about Serge Ibaka; will we see him playing big minutes in the playoffs? And most importantly, what is the status of Paul George‘s injury?
It’s coming to light that the bone edema in Paul George’s toe is not an injury that’s going away this season. The name of the game now is pain management and figuring out what he can and can’t do. If his performance in the LA Clippers’ destruction of the Portland Trail Blazers is any indication, PG is doing a great job figuring out how to play through the pain.
The offense hasn’t been a question for the LA Clippers all season; even before the All-Star Break, the Clips had the third highest Offensive Rating in the league, but were only able to muster a league-average Defensive Rating.
Next. LA Clippers: Five remaining must-win games before the playoffs. dark
If the defense is able to play at the same high level as the offense, these LA Clippers will be a nightmare to go against. Big props to the coaching staff and the players for turning it up lately; now the question is, can they do it for four straight series in the postseason?