The LA Clippers are on hearth, profitable 4 consecutive video games, together with two straight victories over the Dallas Mavericks. Each victories had been commanding, with a 23-point win on Friday and a dominant 135-104 win on Saturday, pushing their document to 46-32, good for the No. 7 spot within the Western Convention.
The Clippers are actually tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies, each at 46-32, and so they’re driving a wave of momentum that might see them end the season robust and probably clinch an automated playoff berth.
Their back-to-back victories over the Mavericks have offered a glimpse of what the Clippers are able to as they head into the postseason.
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Listed below are three key takeaways from the LA Clippers’ blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks:
3 issues we discovered from LA Clippers’ blowout win over Dallas Mavericks
#1. The Clippers are all enterprise
The Clippers have now received 4 straight video games and 14 of their final 17. Their solely losses throughout that stretch got here to the New Orleans Pelicans and the league-leading OKC Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Regardless of the setback towards the Pelicans, they’ve constantly crushed groups they need to, together with postseason-bound opponents just like the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks (twice) and Memphis Grizzlies.
With a veteran-laden roster led by James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers are treating the ultimate stretch of the common season severely, positioning themselves to climb additional up the standings.
#2. The Clippers have a reliable Huge 3
After the departure of Paul George, there have been issues in regards to the Clippers’ star energy, particularly given Leonard’s harm historical past. Nevertheless, with James Harden and Ivica Zubac stepping up, and Leonard making an impactful return, the Clippers have discovered their rhythm.
Saturday’s sport was an ideal instance. The star trio of Harden, Leonard and Zubac was distinctive, with Harden and Leonard every placing up 29 factors. Harden additionally contributed 14 assists and 7 rebounds, whereas Zubac added 25 factors and 10 rebounds.
Over the past 17 video games, Harden has averaged 25.5 factors, 8.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds; Leonard has put up 25.1 ppg and 6.8 rpgl; and Zubac has averaged 19.2 ppg and 12.5 rpg.
#3. The Clippers will breeze via the play-in match
If the Clippers find yourself within the play-in match, they need to haven’t any hassle advancing.
They’ve received three out of 4 video games towards the Dallas Mavericks and received all regular-season matchups towards the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies.
The one crew they struggled towards within the play-in image was the Phoenix Suns, dropping all 4 video games to them. Nevertheless, with the Suns going through a troublesome climb to even make the play-in, the Clippers can really feel assured about securing a playoff spot within the present standings.