2. LA Clippers can dominate on defense
The Clippers have not been the product that fans were expecting to see this year. This team was built to dominate on both ends of the floor. Instead, they've leaned into an offensive identity.
The Clippers' Offensive Rating of 118.7 ranks fifth in the NBA. Their 114.7 Defensive Rating ranks 14th. That amounts to a 4.0 Net Rating.
That's solid. Still, there's a golden rule in the NBA. To win a championship, a team needs to be in the top ten in both of those categories and the top five in one.
Last night, the Clippers looked like a team that can hit those marks. They dominated with their defense in the third quarter. The Clippers forced seven turnovers in that frame, which led to a 34-point performance.
The Clippers were aggressive and relentless in pursuing the rock. It paid off in a major way. Now, they need to carry that mentality throughout the rest of the 2023-24 regular season and into the playoffs.