December 4th – December 10th (2W-0L)
Game 1: [Denver Nuggets] – [W 111-102]
Key Statistics:
Nikola Jokic shot 9/32 (most missed shots in a game in his entire career)
Norman Powell +24 (game-high)
Only 21 assists
Key Takeaways:
Last week, the Clippers lost embarrassingly to an undermanned Nuggets team due mostly to an underperforming defense. In this game, the Clippers played as good of defense as any team could play on Jokic.
Jokic had arguably his worst game in several years but in a 7 game playoff series, it is unlikely he will miss 23 shots.
Regardless Zu and Theis played great defense, which makes it even crazier that Ty Lue had Kawhi and PG trying to guard Jokic in the clutch earlier in the season.
The Clipper offense still didn’t look or feel great. 21 assists is a step down from last week’s distribution. The Clippers relied heavily on the trio of Paul George, James Harden, and Norman Powell making tough shots, but it’s nice to see the Clippers live to the top 10 defense that their net rating shows.
Game 2: [@Utah Jazz] – [W 117-103]
Key Statistics:
Kawhi season-high 41 points shooting 14/23 6/8 from 3, Zu played 42 minutes with Theis out and produced a strong 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Key Takeaways:
Only an 8 man lineup this game, but the starters were able to show out. Kawhi was as dominant as he has been all season.
After the first quarter, the Clippers were able to pull away and stay up the rest of the game.
The Jazz were playing without their best player, so while this was an expected win, every win is important, this makes 3 wins in a row and 7-3 of the last 10.
Big Picture:
In a week overshadowed by the in-season tournament, the Clippers emerged with two crucial wins, bringing their season record to 11-10. Kawhi Leonard, scoring over 30 points in three of the last four games, dispelled concerns about passivity, showcasing the return of Kawhi the Terminator. The partnership between Zubac and Harden is evolving into a dynamic duo. The team’s emphasis on the defensive end is commendable, particularly with 34-year-old Harden taking on defensive duties against formidable front courts across the league.
What to Expect Next Week:
4 Games, Monday vs Blazers, Tuesday vs Kings, Thursday vs Warriors, Saturday vs Knicks
The Clippers are set for a homebound week, kicking off with a challenging back-to-back. Notably, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have shown their resilience, playing every game, including back-to-backs. The Blazers pose an interesting matchup, having improved since their early-season clash, but the Clippers are expected to handle this young team. Following that, a rematch against the Kings, the Clippers convincingly beat recently so it promises an intense battle as the Kings seek redemption. The rubber game against the Warriors adds another layer of intrigue; though the Warriors are struggling, the Clippers are aware of their championship pedigree and Steph Curry’s historic performances against them. The week concludes with a rematch against the Knicks, a team that handed the Clippers a loss during Harden’s debut. With Mitchell Robinson sidelined the Clippers have a chance to rectify their previous rebounding issues. While it’s a demanding week, the Clippers look to maintain their strength on home turf.
West Coast Hoops 