December 18th – December 31th (4W-2L)
Game 1: [@Indiana Pacers] – [W 151-127]
Key Statistics:
60 PITP, 151 = fourth-highest scoring total in franchise history, and the highest this season.
Kawhi/PG/Harden combined for 90 points, Harden with his season-high 35.
46-34 rebounds, Zu had 18 points and 16 rebounds in another astounding performance
Key Takeaways:
The Pacers have the 2nd worst defense, so the high scoring is to be expected. However, the high-powered Pacers offense seemed to be a step slow.
Kawhi and PG helped take the lead in the 2nd, extended the lead in the 3rd, and then Harden closed the game with an impressive 21 points in the 4th.
Game 2: [@Dallas Mavericks] – [W 120-111]
Key Statistics:
60 PITP, 7 of the Clippers 8man lineup had double-digit points, 27 assists
Limited Luka to his first <30-point game in 10 games.
Key Takeaways:
No Paul George, more Norman Powell who tied his season high with 21.
Harden and Kawhi continue to impress, Kawhi did have an awkward landing, and wouldn’t be surprised if he missed the next game. Kawhi has been the driving force of this 9 game-win streak. This is the most games/minutes he has played since he was a Spur.
Game 3: [@Oklahoma City Thunder] – [L 115-134]
Key Statistics:
Harden started 1/10 from the field. OKC had 35 assists
Mann was a -31 (has been very inconsistent especially offensively this year)
Key Takeaways:
The energy wasn’t there, clippers ran out of gas. No Kawhi so not the end of the world, but OKC is a very real playoff threat arguably the best team in the west. and the Clippers had no answer in the second half.
The offense was bad in the first half but was bailed out by difficult shots made from Paul George, but lots of iso and contested 3s.
Russ was a great spark coming back to Oklahoma City and kept the Clippers in the game longer than they should have.
Game 4: [Boston Celtics] – [L 108-145]
Key Statistics:
Mann -33, Harden -34
The Celtics shot 25/53 from 3, Clippers shot 11/34…
Celtics with 33 assists…
Key Takeaways:
Ugly game for the Clippers, no Kawhi again, but this game was over early. Horrible energy once again. The Clippers looked like they were missing their focal point on offense and defense. The clippers struggle guarding the 3, and the Celtics shoot a ton of 3s, this did not look like a finals preview.
Game 5: [Charlotte Hornets] – [W 113-104]
Key Statistics:
Gave up 62 PITP, clippers only had 42.
Held Charlotte to 20% from 3
Key Takeaways:
Still no Kawhi, but Russ was fantastic, bringing the energy that was lacking in the last 2 games.
Charlotte is not good, especially without Lamelo, but it was good to see a defensive performance from the Clippers after being crushed by 2 of the best teams in the league.
Game 6: [Memphis Grizzlies] – [W 117-106]
Key Statistics:
17 turnovers is a lot. Clippers outrebounded the Grizzlies by 21, 54-33.
Amir Coffey with a team high +/-, had a steady game shooting ⅚, Harden with another double-double, same with Zu who also had a season-high 20 rebounds. Mann struggled again, shooting 0-6 from 3.
Key Takeaways:
No Kawhi again, but in this game the Clippers looked like a complete team even without their best player. Ja Morant has recently returned to the Grizzlies and they had been on a roll, but the Clippers did a nice job not letting them get off to any big runs until late in the game when it was too little too late.
Big Picture:
As the year draws to a close, the Clippers find themselves at 19-12, an impressive turnaround from their rocky 0-5 start after Harden’s debut. They now boast a 16-5 record since then. Unfortunately, two losses without Kawhi Leonard halted a promising nine-game winning streak, underscoring the impact of his absence. Kawhi, who played at an extraordinary level before his injury and played every game, thankfully has the chance to rest during this period. The team faced evident energy issues in these losses, emphasizing the importance of maintaining intensity. However, James Harden, in All-NBA form, and Paul George have demonstrated improved chemistry in Kawhi’s absence. When the Clippers approach games with playoff-level energy, they showcase their dangerous potential, with standout performances from Terance Mann and a notable Zu-Harden duo. As they enter the new year, the hope is for Kawhi’s return to full health, sustained energy, and a commitment to not taking regular-season games for granted
What to Expect Next Week:
4 Games, Monday vs Heat, Wednesday @Suns, Friday @Pelicans, Sunday @Lakers
As the calendar turns, the Clippers face a challenging week with a four-game lineup, mercifully free of back-to-back matchups. The return of Kawhi Leonard remains uncertain, adding an element of suspense. The Heat, known for their tenacity, pose a formidable challenge even without Jimmy Butler. A showdown with the Suns follows, a team finding their stride with the return to full health and the potent trio of Booker, Durant, and Beal. The Pelicans, equally matched with the Clippers in the standings, promise a crucial matchup in the competitive Western Conference. The week concludes with a highly anticipated rematch against the struggling Lakers, offering a chance for the Clippers to demonstrate growth since Harden’s debut and contend with the Lakers’ size and proficiency at getting to the free-throw line.
West Coast Hoops 