Because the Los Angeles Clippers proceed a four-game highway swing on Wednesday evening in Washington, D.C., they’ll look to start a brand new successful streak on the expense of the slumping Wizards.
Los Angeles noticed its five-game successful streak snapped Monday within the second date of its highway journey, falling 126-94 to the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics.
Monday’s loss marked a uncommon defensive lapse for the Clippers this season. They held every of their earlier 4 opponents to lower than 100 factors, together with the high-scoring Golden State Warriors in a 102-99 win on Nov. 18.
“I advised our guys (Boston is) an amazing group, however to not let go of the rope. Hold constructing on what we have established, and that is enjoying arduous. That is competing. Not complaining to the officers, and doing issues the best method,” Los Angeles coach Tyronn Lue mentioned Monday. “That is all you’ll be able to ask of your guys. … proceed to play with good habits and composure and never let it take away from what we have constructed.”
What the Clippers have constructed so far in 2024-25 is likely one of the high defenses within the NBA, holding opponents to the league’s fourth-lowest yield at 107.5 factors per sport. Los Angeles has been distinctive in defending the 3-pointer, limiting opponents to 34.1 % taking pictures from past the arc.
After surrendering 22 of 51 pictures from deep to Boston, the Clippers will look to regroup in opposition to a Washington offense that has been among the many NBA’s worst in quite a lot of classes, together with 3-point taking pictures.
The Wizards shoot 32.5 % from 3-point vary and common simply 108.5 factors per sport. Washington’s 127-108 loss to the Bulls on the primary leg of this week’s back-to-back set marked the Wizards’ twelfth consecutive defeat.
Rookie Alexandre Sarr put collectively consecutive sturdy video games in Washington’s previous two, nonetheless. He adopted his 17-point, 14-rebound effort in a 115-103 loss to Indiana on Sunday with 20 factors, seven rebounds and 4-of-5 taking pictures from 3-point vary on Tuesday.
“He is beginning to decelerate and actually discover his contact behind the three (-point line),” Malcolm Brogdon mentioned of Sarr to The Washington Submit. “And he is additionally studying to roll somewhat bit, to combine it up, to maintain the protection on their toes.”
Sarr’s emergence got here with Washington’s main scorer, Jordan Poole at 21.2 factors per sport, sidelined with a hip harm. Poole’s availability for Wednesday is questionable.
The Clippers’ Norman Powell, averaging a career-best 23.3 factors per sport, has missed the previous 4 video games with a hamstring harm. His standing for Wednesday is unsure.
Amir Coffey has began in Powell’s place over this stretch, which he kicked off with 18 factors in a Nov. 20 win over the Orlando Magic. Coffey’s scoring manufacturing has declined every sport he has been within the beginning lineup, bottoming with 4 factors on Monday in opposition to the Celtics.
James Harden picked up the scoring slack within the Clippers’ first three video games with out Powell, going for twenty-four, 22 and 23 factors within the wins over Orlando, the Sacramento Kings and Philadelphia 76ers. Ivica Zubac led Los Angeles in Boston with 23 factors, and his 10 rebounds gave him his fourth consecutive double-double.
–Area Stage Media