1. LA Clippers still need defensive improvement
Don't believe us? Ask Tyronn Lue:
He's not wrong. The Clippers gave up 118 points to a Charlotte Hornets team that's without LaMelo Ball. The Hornets shot 44/88 (50%) from the field and 23/52 (44.2%) from three-point range. They had a field day.
In particular, Miles Bridges was unstoppable. He finished with 33 points on 11/20 shooting from the field and 7/14 shooting from long-range. The Clippers didn't have an answer for the athletic wing.
Bridges is a good player. Still, the Clippers will face significantly better players when the playoffs come. How will they stop them?
In theory, they should be able to. Outside of Harden, every player in this team's rotation is supposed to be a positive defender. Yet, somehow, the Clippers have struggled on that end of the floor all season.
It may not have mattered last night, but it's something to keep an eye on moving forward.