Like Nicolas Batum, the Clippers have found the right rhythm

Just 15 days ago, we thought he was in the hot seat and that the Clippers were going for the “failure of the year” trophy! And then those same Clippers just won four in a row, and not against just anyone since they just beat the Lakers, the Rockets and last night the Pistons !

« At the beginning of the season, we all had the feeling that we were a very good team. And then injuries happened, we lost close matches, other games, so you fall into a bad rhythm, you lose a little bit of hope: ‘Will we be able to pass this milestone?’ Even when we played well, we couldn’t get past that milestone.” Tyronn Lue says. “And in this series, like I said, the minutes limit is lifted: Kawhi can play more, and that allows James (Harden) to play more without the ball, not wear himself out as much, so he’s more efficient. And like I said, when Kawhi is playing at the elite level that he’s playing, we’re a different team…”

Among the players who symbolize this return to the forefront is Brook Lopez, who just exploded for 3 pointsbut also Nicolas Batum, who remains the barometer of the team, capable of filling in the gaps every night.

“Next Man Up” mentality.

“Brooke Lopez was great. Nico took over for John Collins tonight, and he was good. And that’s been our mentality since I’ve been here: ‘next man up.'” continues Tyronn Lue. “But at the beginning of the season we couldn’t cross this milestone, it was frustrating. Now the guys see how we have to play and what we have to do offensively.”

In general, Tyronn Lue thinks the summer recruits are getting better integrated into the team and are getting a better understanding of the game plan.

“Our new players understand things better. They are already assimilating our defensive bases” he confirms. “Then, Kawhi is healthy, he can move all over the place, get steals. And Brook does a great job of protecting the rim. He’s high in the pick-and-roll, keeps players from accelerating to the basket. Overall, our outsides manage to pressure the carrier, our insides are high, and our rotations are very active to get back…”

On the other side of the court, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard combine well, and their teammates at the end of the line are useful. Like Brook Lopez in Portland, or Nicolas Batum against Detroit.

“In the first half, Nico was huge. Maybe he lacked a little juice because he hasn’t played that many minutes in a while, but the ball was moving, moving fast.” concludes Tyronn Lue. “We found open players early, and he benefited from some of those open shots. When the ball is moving, when it’s alive, when everybody touches it, everybody has shots. And he made four 3-pointers in the first half. »

Enough to start the season for the Clippers, even if they start from afar, because despite the winning streak, they are only 10 wins for 21 losses before the start of 2026?