The Los Angeles Clippers improved their record to 8-7 on the season with a hard-fought 102-99 win over the Golden State Warriors at the Intuit Dome in LA. This was the Warriors’ third loss of the season and the second one they’ve been handed by the Clippers as this matchup tends to neutralize Golden State’s offense.
James Harden put on a passing clinic with 16 assists to go alongside 12 points (4-15 FG) in the win, led by Norman Powell‘s 23-point (9-15 FG) night. Amir Coffey put up 15 points (3-8 FG) and five rebounds off the bench while Terance Mann contributed 10 points (4-10 FG), five rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Ivica Zubac was a monster on the boards with 17 rebounds alongside his eight points (3-8 FG).Â
The Warriors were led by Stephen Curry‘s 26 points (10-21 FG), seven rebounds, and six assists while Andrew Wiggins scored 22 points (7-12 FG) of his own. Draymond Green had another ace defensive night and put up nine points (3-7 FG), nine rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and one block. Jonathan Kuminga had 12 points (5-10 FG) and three steals off the bench.
Let’s examine the major takeaways from the Clippers pulling out this win against a top West contender.
Norman Powell: Most Improved Player?
Norman Powell went viral before the season for claiming the Clippers would handle Paul George’s departure through ‘addition by subtraction.’ His words are proving to be prophetic as George’s absence has led to an expanded role for Powell on offense, one that he is maximizing.
He was a pure scorer tonight, putting up 23 points with one rebound and one steal, focusing his attention on lighting the Warriors up. He’s averaging 23.3 points on 49.0% from the field and 48.7% from three this season by being a free scorer, something that’s been key for the Warriors given the lack of offensive talent on the franchise.Â
If the Clippers are a Playoff team despite their issues, Powell will deserve a chunk of the credit, He’s maximizing his situation as the Clippers don’t have many scoring options right now.Â
James Harden is averaging 20.1 points on 37.2% from the field, showing his scoring output might never reach the historic highs from a few years ago. Ivica Zubac is a post-playing big and will never be an offensive spark plug, while the rotational players are three-and-D specialists like Batum, Jones Jr., Coffey, and Mann.
The Clippers are leaning on Powell and he’s giving them all the support he can, making his name known for Most Improved Player or even an All-Star selection this season.
The Warriors Went Cold Offensively
The last time the Warriors faced the Clippers this season, they scored just 104 points and shot a season-low 32.6% from three. They fared better on the three-point front this game but not by much, going 16-44 for 36.4% efficiency tonight. They went 37-84 (44.0%) on total field goals this game, meaning they shot below their season average from the field (47.3 FG%) and from three (39.0 3P%).
The Clippers’ perimeter defensive unit with Mann, Coffey, Jones Jr., Batum, and more has proven to be extremely effective in chasing shooters off their spots and making them uncomfortable. That perimeter activity is what kept the Warriors uncomfortable offensively tonight.
Despite a decent offensive night for Curry and a great night for Wiggins, the overall Warriors depth couldn’t maintain the high-octane scoring that’s been carrying them to wins. Buddy Hield’s (9 PTS, 3-7 FG) early season form has cooled off as Golden State will depend on players’ shooting streaks given their perimeter-focused play style and lineup.
The biggest culprit behind the loss ended up being the Warriors’ dismal performance from the free-throw line. They went 9-19 from the charity stripe tonight, with only Andrew Wiggins shooting above 50% from the line in this game (6-8 FT). Given it was a three-point loss, players like Jonathan Kuminga (1-4 FT), Brandin Podziemski (1-3 FT), and Trayce Jackson-Davis (0-2 FT) will rue their missed opportunities.
James Harden Is Maximizing His Teammates
Many expected James Harden to turn back the clock and become a 25 to 30-point scorer once again this season after Paul George left the team and Kawhi Leonard was ruled out indefinitely to start the year. Instead of trying to become a worse version of his MVP self, Harden has shown he’s still one of the best playmakers in the NBA this season. He’s averaging 9.0 assists so far this season.
The Clippers have a perimeter-focused roster with a talented and hardworking center like Ivica Zubac in the middle. There is little connecting the abilities of the players on the roster outside Harden’s playmaking ability, as he feeds Zubac as well as the perimeter players to ensure everyone has a role in the offensive load of the franchise. His 16 assists tonight were a result of great on-ball decision-making, with his timely corner passes leading to LAC shooting 16-34 from three (47.1 3P%).
We know Harden’s scoring hasn’t been up to the level many expect, but his playmaking has frankly been divine. He’s still among the best passers in the NBA, rivaling the production of the best dimers in the league right now. This ability has unlocked the entire Clippers offense in the wake of insufficient self-creating scorers on the roster.Â
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