The chief of Clippers’ veteran, James Harden, by no means missed the playoffs in 16 years and at present has the fourth longer sequence within the historical past of the NBA at 15, and he’s not about to interrupt this race.
“We aren’t planning,” stated Harden in regards to the crew’s possibilities of lacking this season’s qualifiers.
Nevertheless, of their n ° 8 within the Western Convention, the sport event appears to be their future.
Whereas the six greatest groups mechanically qualify for the playoffs, the 7-10 groups compete for the final two playoffs of the sport event.
Nevertheless, the clippers may have a shot in the event that they performed extra just like the crew that Beat the Atlanta Hawks on Friday that the one who Misplaced in opposition to the 18 Pélicans of New Orleans Within the first recreation of his three recreation journey final week.
“We’ve got 15 video games left, so every match is essential,” Harden informed journalists after the clippers’ victory 121-98 in opposition to the Hawks in Atlanta.
The Clippers (37-30) stay put in within the eighth and the possibilities of passing in entrance of the Golden Warriors n ° 6 and the n ° 7 of Minnesota Timberwolves, each and a half video games in entrance of the Clippers on Saturday, appear to be slim.
The Warriors, 38-28, coming into the match on Saturday night in opposition to the New York Knicks, gained six video games in a row and 9 of their final 10. The Timberwolves (39-29) gained seven in a row.
The upcoming program of Clippers will make the duty much more troublesome.
They return dwelling to face Charlotte’s Hornets on Sunday, adopted by the video games in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers on the head of the League, the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the perfect crew of the Western Convention.
They will misunderstand one other sequence of three consecutive defeats, which they’ve completed six occasions this season.
The Clippers, nonetheless, are inspired by their latest play which led them to win 5 of their final six.
The Clippers rebounded after a disappointing defeat in opposition to the Pélicans to show victories in opposition to Miami’s heat and Hawks. They confirmed a renewed effort on the protection, particularly in transition, which had disappeared recently.
“I believe we did job,” stated coach Tyronn Lue. “I assumed KD (Kris Dunn) did job by giving the tone, not just for the sport, however this third trimester. We got here out defensively and we have been all locked up. »»
The Clippers had 14 interceptions and 5 blocked pictures and restricted the Hawks to 42% of the shot within the subject and 27.3% (9 for 33) from the three -point seashore.
As profitable because the journey has completed, Harden urged his teammates to not get forward and test the classification.
“The journey was good, may have been higher,” stated Harden. “I am unable to look to the long run, we’ve got to take a recreation at a time and concentrate on the subsequent opponent.”
Simmons returns
In six video games with the Clippers, Ben Simmons posted 29 catchy assists with two reversals. In his first recreation, after lacking seven video games due to a painful left knee, he collected 4 assists, two interceptions and no turnover in opposition to the Hawks.
His recreation didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates.
“I’ve to be taught one thing nicely,” stated Harden, who had six reversals first half on Friday however none within the second.
Simmons, who signed a one -year settlement with the Clippers On February 10, informed journalists in Atlanta that his creation of video games was “only a feeling by creating these readings and pushing the ball and that the fellows put themselves of their place. They make my job simpler.
Charlotte in Clippers
When: Sunday, 4 p.m.
Or: Intuit Dome
TV / Radio: FDSN Socal / 570 AM
Initially revealed:
