Throughout the last week, the LA Clippers have made a strong statement in a tight Western Conference. Head coach Tyronn Lue appears to be done experimenting, and it has paid off with the longest winning streak of the season. Additionally, the Clippers have been reasonably healthy, especially with their top talents.
Furthermore, franchise superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have been on a mission lately. These two have been the team’s saviors, and they proved just that in a win over the Atlanta Hawks. Without Leonard and George, Lue’s squad would easily be at the bottom of the West.
Moreover, these two closed out a seven-point win in Atlanta with a total of 55 points, 15 rebounds, and ten assists, along with eight three-pointers made. Not to mention they both played over 35 minutes of action on the first night of a back-to-back.
On both sides of the ball, the LA Clippers held a presence that ultimately led to a notable victory. Despite only forcing eight turnovers, Lue and his squad held Atlanta to an atrocious 25.9% from three. This shows that the hustle and movement were playing up to par.
The LA Clippers continue to shoot the three-ball at a ridiculous level.
Though the LA Clippers started the season off with below-average efficiencies from deep, the entire roster has come together to improve these percentages. While drilling 19 three-pointers against the Hawks, the Clippers shot 48.7% with a field goal percentage of 52.5.
These statistics add to how Leonard and George received significant help during the contest. Key players like Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, and Nicolas Batum thrived from a distance by combining nine threes on 13 attempts.
R3GGIE JACKSON CASHIN' IT IN! pic.twitter.com/OCUdRaBGWH
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 29, 2023
Although there were several remarkable showings, the starting center, Ivica Zubac, played the most important minutes. In addition to his 18 points and six boards, the seven-foot star posted three assists and two blocks in 37 minutes of playing time. He was the true player of the game, as his defense and rim protection carried the Clippers down the stretch.
That said, the LA Clippers must keep their eyes on the Cleveland Cavaliers as they move forward on the road trip. With the injury status of Leonard and George up in the sky, the slashing wing Norman Powell will have a ton of pressure to help extend the winning streak. This contest is vital, with the second seed being just a few games away.