The Clippers slip away with a win against the shorthanded Nets
Though the LA Clippers slithered away against the Knicks, it is safe to say they are very close to the best they can be. Superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have found a stretch of games to remain healthy, and head coach Tyronn Lue is closing in on the correct rotations.
Furthermore, the LA Clippers took another victory in Brooklyn to complete their road trip. This win was prominent for various reasons, one of which, they are only one game back from the third seed. Additionally, the Clippers are not far from second place, adding to how important the rest of the season will be.
Moreover, George was the player of the night with 29 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 34 minutes of action. This is the aggressive version of George LA needs as he made ten of his 20 attempted shots.
On the other hand, Leonard also had a phenomenal outing with 24 points, six assists, and four rebounds in 34 minutes of playing time. He has been playing on a different level lately, making the LA Clippers a challenging match-up to encounter.
The LA Clippers’ defense must be able to sustain for all 48 minutes.
After several Nets players were ruled out, it became clear that shooting guard Cam Thomas would give the LA Clippers an arduous task. He exceeded these expectations by dropping 47 points along with seven made three-pointers.
These breakdowns have been an issue all season and will crush the Clippers in the playoffs. What’s more, the Nets shot over 50% from three on 31 total attempts. This shows the type of defense the LA Clippers were playing, despite forcing 16 turnovers.
The Clippers’ most impactful player was the interior big man, Ivica Zubac. Not only did he have 19 points and 12 boards, but he also posted three steals and a block in just 30 minutes on the court. Hence his game-high +/- of +27.
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Nonetheless, the Clippers travel back to LA to take on the Dallas Mavericks for their first of a three-game home stretch. This contest must result in a win, especially considering how close Lue and his squad are to the third seed. Defense and urgency need to be enforced from tipoff, making the lives of the Mavericks much more difficult.