The Los Angeles Clippers are rolling again offensively, but they'll need to continue to improve defensively in order to compete for a title.
The Clippers have allowed 100.3 points per 100 possessions over their last 18 games, though, ranking ninth in the NBA in that span. They had been 20th previously, giving up 104.6.
"I feel like we can improve our defense," said DeAndre Jordan, who is averaging 13.8 points and 18.8 rebounds over his last 18 contests. "Nobody can play a perfect game, but I just want us to be able to play a great defensive game for most of the 48 minutes. That's what the great teams do. That's what the championship teams do. So we're on our way and we're making strides, but we have to sustain that for an entire game."
New Orleans (37-32) has dropped three of four, shooting 38.3 percent in the last three. Anthony Davis missed a second straight game in Friday's 112-96 loss at Golden State due to an ankle injury suffered during shootaround prior to Thursday's loss to Phoenix.
The Pelicans were also without starters Omer Asik and Jrue Holiday as well as fourth-leading scorer Ryan Anderson (14.6 ppg). Tyreke Evans, who was already questionable due to an ankle injury, left in the third quarter with a calf injury.
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