Minus Chris Paul, the Clippers come to slap the Hawks
After suddenly cut off Chris Paul, The Clippers are back in action in Atlanta to challenge the Hawks, devoid of the Trae Young-Jalen Johnson duo, a team they lost to earlier in the season, notably with a hot blow Whit Krejci author of 28 points with 8 3-point shots from the bench.
As in the last meeting between these two teams, it is the Clippers who are off to a good start in this matchup as Tyronn Lue’s men are 14-4 from the start. The lead that Angelino maintains until the end of this first act, especially thanks to a James Harden (27 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals) author 13 points, but a 3-point arrow from Luke Kennard brings the Hawks back within six lengths before the start of the second quarter (27-21).
The period starts with a 3-point basket from Zachary Risacher (11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists) and a few minutes later Dyson Daniels scores 2+1 with a foul by Chris Dunn, which allows Atlanta to regain the lead (33-32) except Cam Christie responds in turn with 2+1 and puts the Clippers back in front.
The Clippers take off
Since then, Los Angeles has excelled thanks to its defense and forced Atlanta into numerous turnovers. In the first half, Quin Sneijder’s men lost eleven balls. On the other side of the court, Californians can count on two baskets in a row Kawhi Leonard (21 points on 7/21 shooting and 1/7 from distance) to regain the ten-point lead. When they returned to the locker room, they were leading 55-41.
The second half begins with Kawhi Leonard’s game-winning shot, his only of the night, and in a rare occurrence for the Clippers this season, they don’t go down in the third quarter. If at the end James Harden throws an “air ball”, John Collins grabs the rebound and returns the ball to the circle as the buzzer sounds. A basket that gives Los Angeles a 21-point lead before the start of the fourth quarter (94-73).
Nicholas Batum (6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) responds to Zachary Rizacher’s basket with a shot from long range and follows with a winning shot with Kobe Sanders (100-77). Kawhi Leonard makes sure to end this 7-0 score and give his team a twenty-five point lead. Atlanta can’t make up for the delay and loses with a score of 92:115. That’s how Tyronn Lue’s men end a five-game losing streak before taking on the Grizzlies this Friday.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
Clippers in style. Los Angeles turned in one of its best performances of the season by leading from the start of the game. If the Hawks started in the second quarter, the Californians did not collapse and quickly opened a new gap until Kawhi Leonard was skilled (shot 7/21). Even better, the Clippers played great defense allowing just 92 points and forcing Atlanta into 16 turnovers.
Battle for the rebound. Another element that can explain this victory of California, jumps. The Clippers grabbed 54 rebounds, including 17 rebounds Ivica Zubac to 38 for the Georgians, allowing them to get numerous second chances like this catch from John Collins late in the third that gave Los Angeles a 20-point lead.
An attack that remains. Without Jaylen Johnson, Atlanta’s offense has stalled. While three players scored at least twenty points during loss to the Pistonsthis time, alone Nickeil Alexander-Walker managed to reach the mark of twenty units with 21 points. Behind him it was complicated like this shot 34/85, barely 40% success in the match.
2025-12-04 05:44:00
