Throughout the LA Clippers’ last ten games, they only have three wins, two of those being against teams below .500. This clearly shows how hungry the Clippers are for a championship and where they stand before the trade deadline. Additionally, head coach Tyronn Lue and his squad are walking on thin ice within the playoff standings.
However, their win against the Houston Rockets displayed a promising championship-contending roster. Players were hustling on defense, crashing for rebounds, and moving the ball on the offensive end. These components were the reason the LA Clippers won by over 20 points.
Although franchise superstar Kawhi Leonard posted another 30-point performance, slashing wing Terance Mann was the player of the game. Along with his regular-season career-high of 31 points, Mann added six rebounds and four assists through 41 minutes of action. This showing alone proves that Mann deserves a spot in the rotation regardless of his competition.
Something else to note is that not a single player who stepped on the floor finished with a negative +/-. Lue’s game plan was thriving as Houston had no answer for LA, especially on offense. Hence the Clippers shot 52.3% from the field and 43.8% from three.
The LA Clippers must build off this win to spark a notable winning streak.
Dominating in large stretches has been a problem for the LA Clippers all year. Since opening night, the Clippers’ longest streak has only been three games. This is atrocious, considering Lue and his squad are looking to make a deep postseason run.
Furthermore, a blowout win was exactly what the Clippers needed. Multiple players shined within their roles, which resulted in what could be a season-altering win. In addition to Mann and Leonard, the two-way wing Norman Powell played exceptionally well, as did several others.
Moreover, the winning script for the rest of the year should be set and good to go. With more than 40+ games in, it is evident which players belong in the primary rotation. There should be no more experimenting from the coaching staff as the team’s main goal should be to reach the first seed.
That said, the LA Clippers have a tough back-to-back, beginning with the Philadelphia 76ers. If Lue and his squad find their way to victory, the team is in an excellent position for the return of Luke Kennard and Paul George. This match-up is a must-win for the Clippers, as another loss would damage their playoff-contending window.