The LA Clippers have the Trail Blazers’ number. This should come as no surprise. These two teams are on opposite ends of the NBA’s Western Conference.
Yet the Clippers can only beat the team in front of them. This team has defeated the Trail Blazers in consecutive competitions. Last night, the Clippers inflicted a 125-117 defeat on them.
The Clippers shot 44/77 (57.1%) from the field and 14/33 (42.4%) from three-point land. Paul George had 31 points on 10/14 shooting from the field, and Kawhi Leonard scored 22 on 9/15 shooting. James Harden finished with 15 points on 5/13 shooting from the field, but he still contributed to the team’s efficiency with 10 assists and only 2 turnovers.
This team is tough to beat when the Clippers stars are producing at this level. The machine was running. Harden stirred the drink and the cup ran towards George and Leonard.
That said, they weren’t the only ones quenching their thirst.
With this Clippers team, there is a “next man up” mentality after the stars. Last night, this man was actually a Mann.
Terrance Mann finished with 20 points on 7/12 shooting from the field. This comfortably exceeds his season-wide average of 8.5 points per game. Last night, Mann delighted in the seriousness of his star teammates.
Any LA Clippers fan knows how valuable Mann is. He is a quality defender and reliable spacer who plays unselfishly. Last night he was something more than that.
Given his performance, why was his score so close?
In fairness, Leonard and George sat for the entire fourth quarter. The Blazers almost took advantage of their absence. They dominated the Clippers 37-24 in the final quarter.
To some extent, it was “trash time.” Still, give the Blazers credit. They lost Anfernee Simons to injury in the third quarter, and they still fought. If this one had gotten much closer, the Clippers might have put Leonard and George back in the game.
Ultimately, it wasn’t necessary against the Blazers.
