LOS ANGELES — The Clippers were able to win all three of their home games concluding with a big 120-118 comeback win against the Cleaveland Cavaliers to give them their 50th win of the season. This successful homestand has put Los Angeles in a great spot to secure the fourth seed in the Western Conference this week. The Clippers have won six of their last seven games as they prepare for the playoffs. The Clippers are starting to look more like the team we saw in December & January during this homestand and that’s scary for the rest of the league.
So, here are my three takeaways from the Clippers latest homestand:
Paul George looks playoff ready
With no Kawhi Leonard, George was the catalyst to a successful homestand for the Clippers.
During the homestand, George averaged 26 points on nearly 50% shooting including a 39-point effort that helped the Clippers come back from a 26-point deficit to knockoff the Cavaliers. He added 11 rebounds and made some key shots & stops to help secure the win.
George, who is now playing more on the ball is looking a lot like he earlier in the year which helped him make another all star team. His clutch shots, playmaking, defense and late season leadership has helped the Clippers get back on the right track before the playoffs.
Consistent bench play will be vital for continued success
With most of the attention being on the team’s “big 3” James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George throughout the season. It has been the Clippers bench that has been most consist. With my favorite for there sixth man of the year award, Norman Powell along with Russell Westbrook, Amir Coffey, Mason Plummer and Daniel Theis the Clippers second-unit continues to play well.
In two of their three wins during the homestand, multiple players scored in double digits. In the Nuggets game alone, four of the Clippers bench players scored 10+ points. Powell’s instant offense and the energy that Westbrook has brought to the team since his injury has lifted this team as of late.
The Clippers are also getting solid minutes from a group that has shined as of late including four guys off the bench. Westbrook, Powell, Coffey, Plumlee alongside either Harden or George has played well and helped close out the win Sunday afternoon.
The Clippers bench will need to continue to play well as the team deals with the injury to Kawhi Leonard and now even James Harden.
Harden dealing with right foot soreness
James Harden had a tough 20 games prior to this homestand but played much better. Harden averaged 18.3 points, 9.3 assists and seven rebounds during the three-game stretch.
Harden is picking up his play but is now dealing with soreness in his right foot that nearly caused him to miss Sunday afternoon’s matchup. He sat the entire fourth quarter because of the injury and the team is saying that he will be okay.
The Clippers who are already without Leonard. Cannot afford to not have their best playmaker available. Before sitting out of the fourth quarter, Harden was having his best game in a while. In three quarters, he finished with 22 points on 54% shooting along with five assists and five rebounds.
Los Angeles hopes to secure the fourth seed early this week so that they can rest some guys because this team does not want limp into the playoffs like we seen last year when they lost in the first round to the Suns.
