As the Clippers get ready for the Pelicans, they are beginning to gel.
The Los Angeles Clippers, riding a three-game winning streak and looking more like the team that the front staff imagined when they put four stars together, are headed back home in the hopes of showcasing a bit more of their potential.
After pairing James Harden with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook, the Clippers faced criticism and lost five straight games, extending their losing run to six games overall.
However, adjustments made by head coach Tyronn Lue, assurances from the players that they will work out some camaraderie, and a trip to San Antonio for two games this week have all contributed to moving the plan along.
Los Angeles won 109-102 on Wednesday to complete a two-game sweep of San Antonio after ending their losing skid on Nov. 17 with a victory against the Houston Rockets at home.
Even though Leonard scored 26 points against his old team, the noise of jeers directed at one of the best players in the NBA was rather noticeable.
READ MORE:Paul George of the Clippers surpasses Chris Paul on LA’s all-time 3-pointers chart.
In a speech over the arena sound system, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich pleaded with the crowd to “have a little class,” but the jeers just became louder.
In his postgame statement, Leonard implied that the Clippers have more pressing issues and have come to ignore anyone who doubts their future.
“At the time, I was just in the moment, trying to knock down my free throws,” said Leonard.
The next few days will require greater concentration. The Clippers will play the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings before hosting the Golden State Warriors back-to-back. This is following the Pelicans’ trip to Los Angeles.
In the grand scheme of things, having Leonard and George in sync is more important than getting Harden comfortable with the game plan, even though that has been the primary emphasis lately.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Lue stated, “We’re a different team when those two guys are healthy.” “We are just seeing who we can be and how we can play once those guys are healthy. I know we hit a rough patch after the trade, just trying to get guys acclimated.” And they’re well now.”
The Pelicans have defeated the Kings at home in back-to-back games. On November 17, the New Orleans Saints defeated the reigning champion Denver Nuggets 115-110 to extend their winning streak to four games in a row.
In the Pelicans’ 117-112 victory over the Kings on Wednesday, Zion Williamson scored 25 points and Brandon Ingram added 23. Similar to the Clippers, who are starting to come together, the Pelicans’ dynamic duo is finding its stride.
“We’re taking steps forward every single day, just getting better,” Ingram said after New Orleans went 4-2 on an extended homestand. “We’re going back and watching film and see what we can do better. We’ve got to take it on the road and get some more wins.”
As important as the Williamson-Ingram duo is to the Pelicans, the team had solid production from its bench Wednesday as Jordan Hawkins, Naji Marshall and Jose Alvarado each reached double digits in points.
“Those guys were awesome coming off the bench, giving us a huge lift,” Pelicans head coach Willie Green said. “Their energy, getting deflections, getting steals, rebounding the ball; that’s what we’re going to need night-in night-out.”
CJ McCollum of the Pelicans (chest) made his way back to practice this week, but there isn’t an official comeback date yet.
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