The Clippers are on an upward swing, and it’s no wonder why. With leading scorer Norman Powell back in action and James Harden maintaining his impressive performance, the team is looking stronger than ever. They’ve managed to bag six victories in their last seven outings, their recent 123-88 triumph over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday adding a third straight win to their streak at the Intuit Dome.
Coach Tyronn Lue attributes this positive change to an elevated level of defensive play and a focus on avoiding forced plays. This shift in strategy seems to be paying off well.
Ahead of the game, Lue praised Harden for his consistent excellence, a claim the All-Star validated by netting 31 points on nine-for-15 shooting. Harden also drained four of his seven three-point attempts, and recorded ten rebounds and seven assists, all within just 31 minutes of play.
Moreover, Lue emphasized the comfort the team feels when playing through Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac more consistently. Leonard impressively contributed 21 points, along with five rebounds and five assists during his 27 minutes on the court. Meanwhile, Zubac delivered 17 points, 14 rebounds, and a career-high eight assists in a similar span.
Lue also spotlighted the importance of further integrating newcomers like Bogdan Bogdanovic, who added seven points and four rebounds, and Ben Simmons, who chipped in with three assists. He acknowledged the importance of getting everyone on the same page and the team’s determination to make it work, stating, “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.”
Norman Powell, on the other hand, had a challenging night, scoring just seven points on three-for-13 shooting. Powell has been battling knee issues and a right hamstring strain, missing 12 of the previous 13 games.
Looking ahead, the Clippers face tougher opponents in the coming week with clashes against Cleveland, Memphis, and Oklahoma City. The Cavaliers hold the top NBA record, the Thunder boast the second-best, and the Grizzlies are tied for the fourth spot in the Western Conference. However, with the Clippers seemingly finding their stride, evidenced by their commanding 38-point lead over Charlotte, they’re gearing up for these bigger challenges as they work to climb their way out of the No. 8 spot in the West.
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This article was originally published in the Los Angeles Times.
