The Clippers, regardless of a troublesome schedule, received 10 of 12 video games final month, together with 9 in a row at house. They have been in sixth place within the Western Convention with a 14-9 file and have been cementing their popularity as the most effective defensive groups within the league.
And it was with out their star, Kawhi Leonard.
“I give credit score to our guys, to our gamers, whoever has been right here,” coach Tyronn Lue stated. “When the fellows are out, we at all times really feel like we now have an opportunity to win and so we exit on the sphere each night time. I simply discover methods to win.
“It received’t be the identical each night time. It may be totally different each night time, however you simply must attempt to discover methods to win, discover combos to win. I give our guys credit score, they did it.
Nonetheless, this has not occurred lately. When the month-to-month schedule modified, so did the Clippers’ fortunes. Accidents to Norman Powell (hamstring), James Harden (groin), Terance Mann (finger), Kevin Porter Jr. (ankle) and Derrick Jones (hamstring) modified the lineup, chemistry and outcomes.
Now, they’ve misplaced three straight this month by a median of 20.3 factors, the worst being a 28-point debacle in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and have fallen to a 14-12 file and ninth within the convention. The Clippers rank 14th within the league in discipline purpose share (46.3%), thirteenth in 3-point taking pictures (36.9%) and their assault price is twenty fifth at 109.7 factors per match.
Powell, who averaged 23.1 factors, was the primary to affix Leonard on the bench when he suffered left hamstring soreness, lacking six video games. The taking pictures guard bounced again with back-to-back 28-point video games in opposition to the Denver Nuggets and 30 in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers, however has since slumped. Powell has scored a median of 15.1% in his final two video games, together with 16 factors in opposition to the Nuggets on Friday.
With out Leonard, the Clippers turned to Harden to hold the load, and he responded by averaging 21.6 factors, 8.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists. He missed one sport with a groin pressure and returned Friday after a nine-day layoff to complete with 15 factors, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
He additionally solely made two free throws after making 13 of 13 within the earlier sport in opposition to the Nuggets.
Accidents — Mann and Jones Jr. stay out — have left Lue with patchwork lineups and gamers he known as “interchangeable items.”
“Now we have guys that may step in and play two or three totally different positions, so with DJ (Jones Jr.) out proper now, having Nico (Batum) within the beginning lineup who’s used to doing that and d ‘ve been on this function earlier than so we’ll see the way it goes however you recognize dropping our bodies will be tough.
The Clippers can have the chance to return to victory after they return to the Intuit Dome to face the Utah Jazz (5-19) on Monday.
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