The Clippers are trending in the best route, and on prime of it, they’re changing into complete with main scorer Norman Powell again and James Harden sustaining his excessive stage of play.
They’ve received six of their final seven video games, with the Clippers’ 123-88 blowout win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday on the Intuit Dome pushing their profitable streak to 3.
“This was a good professional win,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue stated.
For Lue, the shift started with the Clippers enjoying protection at the next stage whereas not forcing the motion.
Earlier than the sport, Lue talked about how Harden has been a constant drive, one thing the All-Star proved towards Charlotte with 31 factors on nine-for-15 capturing. He additionally made 4 of seven three-point makes an attempt, 10 rebounds and 7 assists in simply 31 minutes.
“We pretty much need to win these games,” Kawhi Leonard stated after ending with 23 factors, six rebounds and 5 assists in 27 minutes. “Obviously James has been playing at a great level. … It’s just been a collective group [effort].”
Lue stated the Clippers are snug enjoying by way of Leonard and Ivica Zubac extra incessantly. Zubac completed with 17 factors, 14 rebounds and a career-high eight assists in 28 minutes.
“It’s been great,” Leonard stated about Zubac’s play, particularly the middle’s passing skill. “Like I said, if the other team is switching or if we need a basket, he’s able to relieve us and with his efficiency. The other team is seeing that and bringing two guys to him and he’s making the right play.”
As well as, Lue has built-in Bogdan Bogdanovic (seven factors, 4 rebounds) and Ben Simmons (three assists, zero factors) extra into the fold. It has all added as much as the Clippers enjoying with larger goal.
“Just trying to fit all these pieces together,” Lue stated. “We have [14] games to do it, which is more than enough time if we just lock in and understand what we’re trying to do. So I’m excited about that challenge.”
One participant who struggled to place the items collectively Sunday was Powell. After lacking 12 of the final 13 video games due to knee points and a proper hamstring pressure, he scored simply seven factors on three-for-13 capturing.
The following seven days will present the Clippers with more durable challenges.
They face Cleveland, Memphis and Oklahoma Metropolis subsequent. The Cavaliers have the very best document within the NBA, the Thunder the second finest and the Grizzlies are fourth within the Western Convention.
However as a result of the Clippers have discovered their groove — like once they constructed a 38-point lead towards Charlotte — they’re extra ready for the duty forward as they attempt to climb out of the No. 8 spot within the West.
“Getting guys back healthy, playing together, trusting each other, playing better defense than when we played in a stretch before that,” Zubac stated concerning the Clippers’ improved play. “And, that’s it. We’re kind of figuring it out. Defensively we’re better and we’re slowly getting guys back. … We got a good squad when we’re healthy. So, just keep building, keep building. We’re in a final stretch of the season and we got to get as many wins as we can and everyone [has] got to be locked in.”
