Clippers defense turns up the heat

Leading by 19 points in the second quarter, the Clippers managed to win over the Bulls (108-103) despite disappointing shooting: 39.8%, including 27.3% from 3-point range. And when you’re awkward, it’s the “stops” that make the difference and compensate.

Proof with the Clippers giving up just one basket in the final three minutes. A controlled end to the defensive level that allowed Tyronn Lue’s men to claim their sixth win in their last seven games. Enough to satisfy Kawhi Leonard.

“We stopped at the end of the game. We restricted them to one innings, set the pace and made our shots.” The Clippers star explained about this “money time”.

Proving effective defensively, they limited the Bulls to 45 points in the second half while forcing Billy Donovan’s men to just 20 turnovers. Like the last one Kawhi Leonard on Zach LaVine with five seconds left.

Half court rebounding defense

“If we win, that’s why our defense responded and carried us forward on a night like this. » Paul George said. “The luxury is that there are guys who can score in most games. “I think we found our rhythm defensively and that kept us in the game.”.

It must be said that the Los Angeles defense was less likely to experience the big blow. From December 23rd to January 20th, the Clippers had the 4th worst NBA halfcourt defense in the league. Even more surprising was the fact that they were in the top 5 of the best teams in this category for most of the season. Lue opted for “small ball” to restore aggressiveness and mobility.

“We used a pretty small five and I think that five did a really good job of getting us back into the game.” Tyronn Lue explained. “Defensively, it allowed us to get back into the game, play in transition and get some easy baskets that allowed us to go ahead.”.

A resurgent defense is featured as the Clippers bounce back in full force. Far from being a coincidence.

“It’s just a fact that we’re more confident and therefore better.” Judge Robert Covington. “That was the most important thing: trusting the process, the game and each other. Once we started doing that, we started to see a change in how we played and everything.”.

A defense that could really be tested in the next few games, as the Clippers’ next 13 games are against teams with a positive balance: Milwaukee, New York, Brooklyn, Dallas, Milwaukee, Golden State, Phoenix, Sacramento, Denver, Minnesota, Golden State, Sacramento and Memphis.