George’s season-high burns to ashes as the Clippers lose to Indy

Throughout the last two games, the LA Clippers have been playing some questionable basketball. Head coach Tyronn Lue is still experimenting with lineups, causing mishaps on both ends of the floor. In addition, some players within the rotation deserve a significantly higher minute share.

Furthermore, the Clippers’ loss to the Indiana Pacers resulted from the same issues. Outside of superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the offense seems exceptionally plain. The carelessness is at an all-time high, and the shot selection is not the best.

That said, George and Leonard had the team on their backs through the loss to Indiana. Not only did they finish with 69 points and 14 rebounds, but they added 11 assists and five steals. These numbers held a chunk of the entire box score, proving just how little the rest of the squad contributed.

The last few games’ most important issue has been the minutes of the two-way wing, Terance Mann. What he brings to the table is something the Clippers must utilize, and Lue has played him a total of 26 minutes in the last three games. This decision has ultimately kept the Clippers from sparking a motivating winning streak.

The LA Clippers have far too much talent to be losing winnable games.

After hanging with the Pacers through the first three quarters, the LA Clippers’ defense fell apart in the final frame. There was little to no sense of urgency, putting even more pressure on the shoulders of Leonard and George. This made it easier for Indiana to hold the Clippers’ offense, leading to Lue’s 17th loss of the year.

In regards to efficiencies, the LA Clippers have taken a significant step forward from where the season began. Their three-point percentage ranks eighth and will likely increase as the year progresses. If Lue makes the simple corrections, the Clippers could quickly finish with one of the best records in the NBA.

Moreover, George was the biggest reason why this game was even close. His season-high of 45 points kept the Pacers guessing on how to stop Lue’s offense. This allowed Leonard and a few others to find easy baskets. However, for the most part, the offense will need much more from the role players if they want to take down some of the best teams in the league.

In the end, the Clippers should learn from their mistakes and show improvement after the new year. With their next match-up against the Miami Heat, Lue will have to focus on what has been working to win his 22nd game this season. The primary keys will be held defensively, making room for momentum on the offensive end.