Game#69 Knicks @ Clippers 1:00pm 3/11

[esqtvd]

Morris with 5 rebounds and was interviewed after the game.

Marcus--at 240 lbs--got the job of banging with Randle [6'9", 250 lbs], who finished 5-24. This is why you don't want Kawhi moving to PF. Maybe RoCo could do it, but he's only 6'7", 210.

Mann had a meh game--1-for-6, 2 points, 1 reb, 3 assists--but still contributed [plus+2] and was part of that second team that turned the game around in the second half. And Ty's faith in EJ is really paying off--plus+8, 10 points in 25 minutes.

And Westbrook's 7-5-3, plus+1 in 23 minutes was just the minutes-eating we need from a PG. Once again he sat out the 4th.

[Wammy Giveaway]

Clippers will never lose again. The winning streak is on and unstoppable.

They have enough time to get the Pacific Division back, but they will need help from their opponents and their continued Good Samaritan Spurs ways to get it. Their only hope now is for their opponents to screw up in karmic fashion.

Time to guess the winning streak. How long does it last? Do they win the rest of the regular season?

[clipperlover]

Morris with 5 rebounds and was interviewed after the game.

Morris getting the interview was such a joke. The guy was a -3 before he came back into the game with us up 7 and the Knicks reeling. Even with his 3 in the 4th only he tied Westbrook for a team worst +1 (Westbrook sat the last quarter and a half). Luckily, Kawhi got that dunk before the Knicks emptied their bench or Morris would have been a -1.

We should have blown them out by even more. Too many dumb plays throughout the game. We had an early bonus in the 4th and only made it to the line once with that advantage. We settled for 3s

Really liked the active hands of Kawhi, PG and Westbrook at the start. The were swiping at the ball and generating steals. Defensive Intensity starting to pick up. Another 3 days before the next game. Time to get back in the gym and tighten the system up.

RoCo found a way to contribute today. He was able to throw a lot of T-Shirts into the stands.

[esqtvd]

Took a look at the stats... I think the defense is really coming along now. Some real physical play which is always good. Knicks shot 36% vs Clips 48%. Turnovers under control too, both teams had 10. Got killed on the offensive boards, Knicks had 20!

PG had a near triple double with 22/8/8 and Kawhi had 38/4/2. If both are on, damn that is tough to beat.

But player of the game goes to Morris, had a career game putting up a monster 11/5/1.

LOL. Ty did prop him heavy for taking the assignment and frustrating Randle [5-24] all day.

BTW, Ty noted that when you brick as many as the Knicks did, there are a lot more offensive rebounds to get!!

[Dynamix]

It definitely wasn't pretty, but I'll gladly take this gritty win in an early weekend game against a feisty opponent.

Just seeing Kawhi healthy and dunking gives me enough hope, despite our recent struggles. And while his and PG's minutes have been on the high side, the days off between games makes it manageable.

As long as Ty keeps Russ on a short leash, which he has done over these last two games, I'm fine with whatever he can give us. We just need to have a solid plan for the 4th quarter, when/if he can't be on the floor.

[clipperlover]

Alright, alright, good job getting the win on the back of the stars and with solid support from others.

Kawhi played 37 minutes tonight, George 40 mins. When I hear fans (of other teams usually) complaining about Kawhi being off on a back to back, I just laugh. We know his injury history. Kawhi in his last 24 games (including tonight) is playing 37 mpg. I'm totally fine with the team having him off on a back to back.

It could be me, but Kawhi looks really lean right now. Wonder if he changed his diet slightly. I guess the increase in minutes could be a factor also.

[Roscoe Sheed]

Morris with 5 rebounds and was interviewed after the game.

Marcus--at 240 lbs--got the job of banging with Randle [6'9", 250 lbs], who finished 5-24. This is why you don't want Kawhi moving to PF. Maybe RoCo could do it, but he's only 6'7", 210.

Mann had a meh game--1-for-6, 2 points, 1 reb, 3 assists--but still contributed [plus+2] and was part of that second team that turned the game around in the second half. And Ty's faith in EJ is really paying off--plus+8, 10 points in 25 minutes.

And Westbrook's 7-5-3, plus+1 in 23 minutes was just the minutes-eating we need from a PG. Once again he sat out the 4th.

agreed about not having Kawhi bang with big bruising PF. However, most teams don't have traditional bruising 4s any more. Morris served a purpose though today and can in the other rare occasions when a team has a strong 4 man

[madmaxmedia]

It definitely wasn't pretty, but I'll gladly take this gritty win in an early weekend game against a feisty opponent.

Just seeing Kawhi healthy and dunking gives me enough hope, despite our recent struggles. And while his and PG's minutes have been on the high side, the days off between games makes it manageable.

As long as Ty keeps Russ on a short leash, which he has done over these last two games, I'm fine with whatever he can give us. We just need to have a solid plan for the 4th quarter, when/if he can't be on the floor.

I'll take any win against a quality opponent!

I think if Ty keeps everyone outside PG/Kawhi on a short leash, everyone will still get their minutes even if they occasionally get pulled early (well, except Roco .) I think for us it's all about matchups and Ty keeping things fluid.

[clipperlover]

It definitely wasn't pretty, but I'll gladly take this gritty win in an early weekend game against a feisty opponent.

Just seeing Kawhi healthy and dunking gives me enough hope, despite our recent struggles. And while his and PG's minutes have been on the high side, the days off between games makes it manageable.

As long as Ty keeps Russ on a short leash, which he has done over these last two games, I'm fine with whatever he can give us. We just need to have a solid plan for the 4th quarter, when/if he can't be on the floor.

Not sure if anyone has been paying attention, but the biggest adjustment Ty has made recently is how he is using PG and Kawhi. He is making sure at least one of them is on the court the entire game. Kawhi plays the entire 1st and 3rd. PG the entire 2nd and 4th. PG getting into foul trouble is the only thing that will throw that off. The better the Clips play to start the 4th, the longer Kawhi sits. Today, Ty was able to not bring him back until less than 7 minutes to go.

Will be interesting to see how Ty works Norm back in.

[madmaxmedia]

It definitely wasn't pretty, but I'll gladly take this gritty win in an early weekend game against a feisty opponent.

Just seeing Kawhi healthy and dunking gives me enough hope, despite our recent struggles. And while his and PG's minutes have been on the high side, the days off between games makes it manageable.

As long as Ty keeps Russ on a short leash, which he has done over these last two games, I'm fine with whatever he can give us. We just need to have a solid plan for the 4th quarter, when/if he can't be on the floor.

Not sure if anyone has been paying attention, but the biggest adjustment Ty has made recently is how he is using PG and Kawhi. He is making sure at least one of them is on the court the entire game. Kawhi plays the entire 1st and 3rd. PG the entire 2nd and 4th. PG getting into foul trouble is the only thing that will throw that off. The better the Clips play to start the 4th, the longer Kawhi sits. Today, Ty was able to not bring him back until less than 7 minutes to go.

Will be interesting to see how Ty works Norm back in.

There's nothing better than when Kawhi doesn't have to start the 4th and we can maintain a lead and burn more minutes.

[esqtvd]

Morris with 5 rebounds and was interviewed after the game.

Marcus--at 240 lbs--got the job of banging with Randle [6'9", 250 lbs], who finished 5-24. This is why you don't want Kawhi moving to PF. Maybe RoCo could do it, but he's only 6'7", 210.

Mann had a meh game--1-for-6, 2 points, 1 reb, 3 assists--but still contributed [plus+2] and was part of that second team that turned the game around in the second half. And Ty's faith in EJ is really paying off--plus+8, 10 points in 25 minutes.

And Westbrook's 7-5-3, plus+1 in 23 minutes was just the minutes-eating we need from a PG. Once again he sat out the 4th.

agreed about not having Kawhi bang with big bruising PF. However, most teams don't have traditional bruising 4s any more. Morris served a purpose though today and can in the other rare occasions when a team has a strong 4 man

I don't think Ty is going to play Jenga with the lineups at this point. A rotation is finally starting to take shape.

Stipulated that Batum is first choice but I think 20-24 minutes is his sweet spot at this age. Any decent minutes Marcus can manage are minutes we're not taking out of Batum.

[Dynamix]

And a little bonus for the fans:

[NickP]

"Role player" Kawhi has had a great string of games. The "not the face of the franchise" is carrying this team.

[esqtvd]

"Role player" Kawhi has had a great string of games. The "not the face of the franchise" is carrying this team.

It's about time he stepped up. He's always been a great player but not a leader or a spokesman for the team.

Read on Twitter

[NickP]

Lol @ "it's about time". Saw this game and would love to actually get stats of how many minutes did Morris actually guard Randle.

[MartinToVaught]

This has to be one of the greatest quotes of all time:

Read on Twitter

[NickP]

Morris did make a huge shot when this team needed it on a dime by PG. Props to him.
But aside from 3:34 remaining in the last quarter, where Morris there Randle on the floor, much of that defensive assignment on Randle was taken by Kawhi and PG.

[NickP]

When role player Kawhi plays we're 25-15, 10-18 when role player Kawhi doesn't play.
Great, great role player.

[esqtvd]

And Westbrook actually is now plus+1.0 as a Clipper.

Read on Twitter

[madmaxmedia]

Morris with 5 rebounds and was interviewed after the game.

Marcus--at 240 lbs--got the job of banging with Randle [6'9", 250 lbs], who finished 5-24. This is why you don't want Kawhi moving to PF. Maybe RoCo could do it, but he's only 6'7", 210.

Mann had a meh game--1-for-6, 2 points, 1 reb, 3 assists--but still contributed [plus+2] and was part of that second team that turned the game around in the second half. And Ty's faith in EJ is really paying off--plus+8, 10 points in 25 minutes.

And Westbrook's 7-5-3, plus+1 in 23 minutes was just the minutes-eating we need from a PG. Once again he sat out the 4th.

agreed about not having Kawhi bang with big bruising PF. However, most teams don't have traditional bruising 4s any more. Morris served a purpose though today and can in the other rare occasions when a team has a strong 4 man

That’s why the only guys that should get 30+ minutes every single game are Kawhi and PG. I think Ty is actually getting the message though, Marcus has been sub 30 more often than not lately.