Despite winning multiple games in a row, the LA Clippers still have voids needed to be filled at the trade deadline. The game plan of head coach Tyronn Lue is missing a true point guard, which is keeping the team back from the best they can be.
Moreover, the Clippers’ loss to the Bucks proved just how vital a floor general could be. The franchise centerpiece, Paul George, needs to be aggressive when scoring the ball rather than facilitating the offense. Though he can find open teammates, his star teammate, Kawhi Leonard, will need help taking down a team like the Bucks.
That said, Leonard and George were outplayed by the Bucks’ firepower on both ends of the court. In addition to shooting a combined 13-42 from the field, the defense could not contain the MVP talents of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
On the bright side, the LA Clippers did a phenomenal job taking care of the ball with only seven turnovers. This loss could have been easily prevented if the strategy down the stretch didn’t rely on isolation buckets. This caused a stagnant offense, giving Milwaukee enough momentum to come back and take the win.
One-on-one basketball haunts the Clippers in the clutch.
Although the LA Clippers showed promise through a stretch of games, their scheme completely folded against the Milwaukee Bucks. The offense was forcing tough shots, and the defense was breaking down behind Ivica Zubac’s foul trouble.
Furthermore, the LA Clippers finished the loss shooting 41.1% from the field, 36.1% from three, and 70% from the strike. This will only cause problems moving forward, backing up what drives the front office in making trades at the deadline.
This game may have resulted in a loss for LA, but the slashing wing Norman Powell was nothing but a problem for the Bucks. He scored a team-high of 26 points and shot 9-16 from the field, including four made three-pointers.
Nevertheless, the LA Clippers take their talents to Madison Square Garden as they compete with the New York Knicks for their next contest. Lue and his squad are in desperate need of a victory, as a loss would cause them to slip significantly in the Western Conference.