The Los Angeles Clippers want to keep excellent at residence within the early a part of the season after they obtain a go to from the Miami Warmth on Monday.
The Clippers improved to 3-0 in their very own constructing with a 126-124 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
The Warmth, in flip, will enter off a 130-120 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night time of their first of a back-to-back in Southern California.
Kawhi Leonard gave the Clippers their victory over the Pelicans when he fired off a pump-fake 20-foot jumper on the buzzer to interrupt a late tie. Leonard completed with a season-high 34 factors as he shot 11 of 16 (68.8%) from the ground and was 5 of 8 from 3-point vary.
James Harden added 24 factors for Los Angeles after going 4 of 13 from 3-point vary, whereas producing a season-best 14 assists.
Whereas the victory was satisfying, the Clippers had been simply as targeted on squandering a 10-point fourth-quarter lead in a sport they led by as many as 17 factors. New Orleans shot 54.2% within the fourth quarter whereas scoring 40 factors, eight greater than Los Angeles had within the interval on 61.1% capturing.
“I imply that is one of many issues we gotta get higher at,” Leonard stated about late-game protection. “We gotta have the ability to maintain these leads. It should not come right down to the final shot.”
Stated Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue: “Just a few breakdowns defensively. … After which offensively simply caring for the basketball, not turning the ball over to allow them to get out in transition and get straightforward baskets, particularly down the stretch.”
The Warmth satisfaction themselves on straightforward baskets as they play short-handed early within the season. One of many high capturing groups within the NBA, Miami was 51.2% from the ground within the loss to the Lakers. They’d 20 fast-break factors and 66 factors within the paint.
Los Angeles-area native Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored a season-high 31 factors off the bench in opposition to the Lakers.
Miami nonetheless is awaiting the season debut of Tyler Herro (ankle), whereas Norman Powell (groin) has missed the previous three video games.
Powell might be in line to return to the court docket Monday in opposition to his former staff. Powell, who performed the earlier three-plus seasons with the Clippers, was traded to the Warmth within the offseason after pondering he was near signing an extension to remain in Los Angeles.
If he performs Tuesday, it appears clear he’ll look to make an announcement.
“I believe it (stinks),” Powell stated of the commerce, in accordance with the Miami Herald.
“I might fairly not say something and simply see what occurs (on the court docket in L.A). Nothing is ceaselessly. Nothing is everlasting till the ink is signed (on a possible contract extension), however yeah, it’s what it’s.”
Jaquez, a former UCLA standout like Powell, was 11 of 16 from the ground and went 9 of 13 from the free-throw line. Bam Adebayo and Pelle Larsson every scored 17 factors with Adebayo including eight rebounds.
The Warmth trailed by as many as 18 in opposition to the Lakers earlier than pulling inside two factors early within the fourth quarter.
–Area Degree Media
