Back-to-back after having made a big effort to overthrow the Warriors, the Kings continue against the Clippers who are recovering from an ugly defeat at home against the Nuggets B team.
In these conditions, the two teams started the match slowly, but Tyronn Lue’s squad made a real effort to pass the low post actions, via Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and move the ball. James Harden is skillful on ball releases from the inside, and the Clippers therefore take the lead (35-27).
On the Sacramento side, the legs are visibly a little heavy, and no one really wants to hurt themselves. The Clippers can therefore play to their hand, while Tyronn Lue’s zone traps the Sacramento players, who insist again and again on 3-pointers even though the skill is not there…
Kawhi Leonard increases the lead to +22 (72-50) at the break against the Kings who cannot launch Domantas Sabonis, and it does not get better in the third quarter, Los Angeles insisting on the size of Ivica Zubac.
The gap therefore remains and there is only De’Aaron Fox to bring danger to the Kings side. The leader tries to bring his team back to attempt a hold-up, like the day before, and the Sacramento public believes it with a 3-pointer from Malik Monk which brings the Kings to 13 points (113-100) with more than six minutes left. to play. But Kawhi Leonard, in good rhythm since the start of the match, responds from afar and the Clippers ultimately do not tremble (131-117).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The balance of the major five of Los Angeles. Certainly, the absence of Keegan Murray and the lack of physical impact of the Kings helped, but the Clippers found a nice balance in this match, particularly in terms of their major five. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were able to find rhythm by touching the ball as low as possible, to attack their duel or take advantage of two-man catches, James Harden was able to play the pick-and-roll while being effective on the catch- and-shoot, Terance Mann ran and Ivica Zubac was served under the circle.
– De’Aaron Fox too lonely. The leader’s 40 points, at 14/23 shooting, failed to bring Sacramento back into the match. It must be said that Domantas Sabonis (11 points at 3/12) had no impact against the Clippers’ switches or the size of Ivica Zubac and that the shooters had not adjusted their sights (13/ 41 at 3-points).
– The Clippers limit lost balls. Los Angeles did everything to offer no rhythm to the Kings, never as dangerous as when they can run and shoot in first intention. In particular, they limited ammunition as much as possible on a counter-attack, losing only four balls over the entire match!
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
