Dec 23, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Clippers heart Ivica Zubac (40) reacts after a dunk over Memphis Grizzlies ahead Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) through the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Necessary Credit score: Petre Thomas-Imagn Photos The Los Angeles Clippers carry a six-game successful streak and prospects of home-court benefit to open the playoffs right into a season-ending Northern California street swing that begins Friday towards the Sacramento Kings.
The Clippers (48-32) swept a five-game homestand, culminating on Wednesday with a 134-117 victory over the Houston Rockets, who rested a lot of key gamers after already clinching the No. 2 seed in the Western Convention.
Of the seven instances this season Los Angeles has scored 130 or extra factors, 4 have been since March 18, together with two in the previous three contests. And all 4 have occurred through the present red-hot stretch that has seen the Clippers win 13 of their final 15.
The late-season surge has Los Angeles tied with the Denver Nuggets for the fourth-best document in the West by means of video games performed on Wednesday, though they’re in fifth through a tiebreaker.
The Clippers are only one recreation behind the Lakers for third place, though they don’t personal the tiebreaker towards their cross-town rival.
With the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors only a recreation behind, and the Minnesota Timberwolves two video games again coming into play Thursday, Los Angeles has no margin for error, with the Clippers closing out the common season at Golden State on Sunday.
“Man, it is particular (to) actually simply be giving your self up for one thing larger,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue mentioned. “Coming into this season, there have been no expectations for this crew, for actual. You take a look at the standings, they predicted us to be thirteenth seed or twelfth seed in the West.”
On Wednesday, Los Angeles heart Ivica Zubac delivered his first profession triple-double with 20 factors, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Zubac has averaged 16.7 factors and 12.6 rebounds in 78 video games performed and has been on a roll of late with 23 double-doubles for the reason that All-Star break.
James Harden’s 35-point, 10-assist exhibiting on Wednesday marked the veteran’s third consecutive double-double. Harden has 22.6 factors and eight.7 assists, whereas Kawhi Leonard is discovering his type with 25.8 factors over his final 13 video games.
The Clippers have been with out Norman Powell (shoulder) on Wednesday, however he’s anticipated to play this weekend.
The Kings (39-41) shut their common season with two extra video games remaining on a three-game homestand, trying to construct momentum for the play-in spherical. Sacramento had a three-game successful streak snapped Wednesday, trailing nearly your complete method in a 124-116 loss to the Denver Nuggets.
All 5 Kings starters scored in double-figures, led by Zach LaVine’s 27 factors, however a fourth-quarter rally, after trailing by as many as 16 factors in the second half, couldn’t absolutely bridge the hole.
Regardless of the setback, LaVine’s continued scoring punch has paced the Kings offensively. He has averaged 33.0 factors in the final 4 video games and mentioned he’s discovering his rhythm following a February transfer to Sacramento from the Chicago Bulls.
“It is simply figuring stuff out. It is by no means going to be excellent if you get a commerce in the center of the season. You are going to have some excessive video games, some low video games,” LaVine mentioned. “We’re trending in the suitable path on the proper time. I am blissful with that.”
The Kings backcourt of LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Keon Ellis mixed for 69 factors on Wednesday. DeRozan and LaVine put up 37 and 43 factors, respectively, in a 127-117 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
–Discipline Degree Media
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