Following a crucial road win to Washington, the LA Clippers did not hold back as they destroyed the best team in the NBA. Through a 20-point victory against the Boston Celtics, head coach Tyronn Lue had the perfect game plan. The entire coaching staff came prepared as it became clear they utilized the film room to the best of their abilities.
Furthermore, franchise superstar Kawhi Leonard had his best performance of the season. However, this sighting was inevitable due to the fact that Leonard was still searching for a rhythm on offense. That said, he closed the win with 25 points, nine rebounds, and six assists while shooting 10-12 from the field.
Leonard’s superstar teammate, Paul George, also contributed significantly to the season-altering win for the Clippers. He finished the night with 26 points, six rebounds, and three assists through 35 minutes of action.
Kawhi and PG-13 were ballin' in the @LAClippers W tonight! #ClipperNation@kawhileonard: 25 PTS (10-12 FGM), 9 REB, 6 AST@Yg_Trece: 26 PTS, 6 REB pic.twitter.com/ko496PuszQ
— NBA (@NBA) December 13, 2022
These performances let the fans know how dominant the Clippers can be when their foot is on the pedal. Not to mention Lue was missing his slashing wing, Norman Powell. Despite being short-handed, the team played excellent on both ends, leading to a much-needed victory.
The LA Clippers send a message to the rest of the league with a win over Boston.
Though this was a defensive contest from start to finish, Boston could not stop the LA Clippers’ superstar duo. Fans highly anticipated this type of performance as these two have been struggling all year to stay healthy. Especially with Leonard, an outing like this displays the true potential of the entire team.
Although Leonard and George managed the show, the defensive specialist Nicolas Batum is one player who deserves his flowers. Not only did he shoot 100% from the field, but Batum was one of the reasons why the Celtics were held back offensively. Additionally, he posted seven rebounds along with two steals through 27 minutes of playing time.
Moreover, the Clippers now have the momentum they have been waiting for all season. As long as the superstar duo can stay healthy, Lue and his squad will continue to see several notable victories. It is only a matter of time before the LA Clippers stand where they belong at the top of the Western Conference.
Nevertheless, the Clippers have a challenging match-up against the playoff-contending Minnesota Timberwolves. It will be interesting to see how Lue responds after winning against the best team in the league. Throughout all 48 minutes, the team will have to shine on both ends to finish with another critical home win.