That Lue is the top priority for slowing down Luka Doncic

ByNBAUSA



The Los Angeles Clippers are preparing for the key NBA Cup showdown on Tuesday vs Los Angeles Lakersand head coach Tee Lue made one thing clear — slowing down Luka Dončić it starts with discipline. As the Lakers continue to thrive behind their MVP-caliber guard, Lue detailed his team’s main defensive focus heading into tonight’s matchup.

Longtime NBA reporter Mark Medina shared Lue’s plan on X (formerly known as Twitter), revealing the coach’s plan direct access to slow down the Lakers’ offensive center.

“Keep him off the free throw line.”

The 48-year-old coach’s comment wasn’t just routine talk – it was a reflection of what makes Doncic so difficult to guard. The Lakers star leads the NBA with 34.5 points per game and averages 12.5 free throws per night. Los Angeles ranks second in the league in total free throw attempts, thanks to the Slovenian superstar’s ability to draw contact and control the tempo of the game.

That presents a major challenge for the Clippers, who have struggled to find any sort of rhythm this season. At 5-12, they rank 13th in the Western Conference, 26th in offense and 24th in defense. Bradley Beal is out with a broken hip, Derrick Jones Jr. is out with a sprained knee, and while Kawhi Leonard recently returned from his own knee injury, he is still working his way back into shape.

Meanwhile, the Lakers enter Tuesday’s matchup 12-4, riding a four-game winning streak with LeBron James back in the lineup. Both teams are undefeated in NBA Cup group play, making tonight’s rivalry game a key test for postseason positioning in the tournament.

For Lou and the Clippers, the formula is simple — stay physical without fouling, keep Leonard out of early foul trouble and make Doncic score through the contest instead of living at the line. Against players who thrive on efficiency and control, discipline may be their only real chance for unhappiness.





2025-11-26 03:45:00

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