Inglewood – The abandonment of 117 points in each of their last two games was the alarm for the coach of the Clippers Tyronn Lue. He was so embarrassed by the team’s defensive shortcomings, he turned unusually to the team after the 122-117 victory on Wednesday against the short-term Houston Rockets.
“I generally do not speak much after the match, but I did it just to tell them that we have to go back to our defensive identity,” said Lue. “In a way, we dropped our guards because of the guys’ exit.
“We must have this mentality when we walk on the ground. I think we may be missing, so we’re just going to be better with that. ”
The Defense of the Clippers was the basis of the team’s success this season. Often when their attack had trouble, they could count on their defense to remain competitive.
The Clippers ranked among the best teams in the League in defensive note all season. They are currently third, limiting opponents to 109.3 points per game. Their ability to lock the teams was more recently exposed when they held the Orlando Magic at 87 points on 30 shots out of 76 (39%) during a victory on the road on March 31.
But in recent times, the mowers have shown signs of slipping in the defensive identity they have forged since the start of the season.
During their last two games, the Clippers have granted 117 points to the San Antonio Spurs, who had neither Victor Wembanyama nor ‘de’Aaron Fox, and the Houston Rockets, who knew five of their six best scorers on Wednesday evening.
Star goalkeeper James Harden said he didn’t remember exactly when the team started to relieve himself defensive (“it’s a little misty”) but knows that they are important that they have returned to what has brought them so far.
The Clippers (48-32) are heading for Friday night’s road match against the Sacramento Kings game (39-41) with a chance to consolidate their chances of finishing the regular season as one of the six best teams in the Western Conference ranking. They were in fifth place for Thursday’s matches.
They close the regular season with a game on the road against the Golden State Warriors (47-33) Sunday afternoon.
“Friday will be another difficult game for us and we are just trying to find ways to win,” said Harden. “But we know our backbone and what is our identity – the defensive. So we (we have to) watch the film and go better and be ready to leave on Friday.”
Kawhi Leonard said that refocusing their attention to the defense is “very important” while they are heading for the playoffs.
“I mean, this is how you win matches – on the defensive side, by obtaining easy baskets in transition, bouncing the ball after they lacked once and that is a larger part of what we do,” said Leonard.
“I think we have done a very good job with Dallas, but we don’t have time to slide with missing blankets and things like that. But if the guys become hot and we do what we do, then it’s another story.”
Clippers with kings
When: Friday 7 p.m.
Or: Golden 1 center, Sacramento
TV / Radio: FDSN Socal, 1150 AM
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