The road to riches continues as the LA Clippers survive in overtime

With the season moving forward, the LA Clippers have played several games on thin ice. There are numerous examples where head coach Tyronn Lue’s game plan struggles against the NBA’s rebuilding teams. This can ultimately limit resting periods, making a road trip more complicated than it has to be.

Furthermore, the LA Clippers’ match-up with the Detroit Pistons proved just that. After notching a big lead in the second half, the young talent in Detroit whittled back to make it a close game. However, players like Terance Mann and Nicolas Batum proved why they are fundamental to a championship roster.

As a result, Lue and his squad faced overtime with minimal room for error. Franchise centerpiece, Paul George, did what superstars do as he led his team to victory. In the end, George closed the night with 32 points, 11 assists, and three steals through 38 minutes of playing time.

Along with George was the sharpshooting guard Luke Kennard who was the game-changer for the LA Clippers. Not only did he finish with 18 points, but he grabbed five rebounds and knocked down countless big shots, allowing the Clippers to win.

The LA Clippers’ win against Detroit was a team battle.

Although the LA Clippers should have won by a more considerable margin, the team’s depth and talent thrived under pressure. On top of seven players scoring in double figures, the LA Clippers closed the contest on a 30-5 scoring run.

While the LA Clippers stand with the fourth seed in the Western Conference, they still hurt themselves with their own errors. No reason could justify why Lue and his squad turned the ball over 19 times to a team with the worst record in the NBA. In addition, the Clippers have moved up to 15.1 turnovers per game, ranking 24th in the league.

Despite the careless mistakes, one aspect of Lue’s game plan is out of place. The two-way wing, Robert Covington, is entirely out of the rotation, and there is no justifiable excuse behind this decision. He is one of the league’s best defenders, and the energy he brings to the game could change the momentum for LA.

That said, the LA Clippers travel to Toronto to complete another back-to-back. This will be a tough match-up for Lue, and his squad, as players will be fatigued from a long battle against Detroit. If the Clippers can win this one, they will hold a great position in the stacked Western Conference.