The Los Angeles Clippers have found the way to best employ their roster of talented players and will try to take another step forward in that learning curve when they square off against the host San Antonio Spurs for the second time in three nights on Wednesday.
The Clippers won the first of the teams’ mini-set 124-99 on Monday behind a balanced attack that saw a half-dozen players score in double figures. Paul George led the way with 28 points while Kawhi Leonard added 21, and Norman Powell and Daniel Theis hit for 19 apiece off the bench for the Clippers.
James Harden poured in 13 points and dished out 10 assists, with Russell Westbrook netting 10 points and Ivica Zubac grabbing 11 rebounds for Los Angeles.
The Clippers have won two straight games after a six-game losing streak and are 2-5 with Harden in the lineup after he was traded from Philadelphia earlier this month.
“It was the same rotation as last game, just played a little better,” Los Angeles coach Ty Lue said. “When people start to get comfortable understanding the different roles as far as (Russell Westbrook) coming off the bench, and how we want to play (we will be clicking). … That was the biggest thing for us.”
The Clippers took a 91-77 advantage into the final period but pushed aside any notion of a San Antonio comeback when George scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter to expand Los Angeles’ lead to 21 points.
Los Angeles had just seven turnovers in the win, which Leonard cited as an indication the team is coming together and getting more comfortable with each other.
“That’s been a big issue for us, turning over the ball,” Leonard said. “We got to be detailed, rebound the basketball, having great location, playing our defense. Offense will come once everybody gets comfortable.”
Monday’s win was Los Angeles’ sixth straight against the Spurs and the second this season over San Antonio.
The Spurs have dropped nine straight and have not won since Nov. 2, when they finished off a two-game sweep of the Suns in Phoenix. Keldon Johnson led San Antonio with 22 points in Monday’s loss, while Cedi Osman had 17, Zach Collins 12, Tre Jones 11 and Malaki Branham 10.
“We’re getting better,” Johnson said. “We’re losing. Everybody knows that, but I’ll keep being myself. Keep being energetic. I’m still going to be myself so when we start winning, you all will say that KJ was the same person winning or losing. That’s what it’s going to be, but we are going to start winning. It’s just a matter of time. We’re learning. We’re getting better.”
Rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama had nine points on 4-of-12 shooting for San Antonio, which played without Devin Vassell for the third straight game because of an adductor strain.
Despite the loss and his team’s growing losing streak, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich praised his players for their effort against the talented Clippers.
“I’m totally pleased with the game,” Popovich said. “Nobody likes to lose but I thought their competitiveness and execution were good against a very good, very talented and very well-coached team. I’ll sleep well. … I liked a lot of things that I saw individually and team-wise.”
–Field Level Media