Game 9: Clippers (5-3) Host Heat (3-5) @ 12:30! 11/5/17

[ducler]

[QRich3]

I'm gonna be at Staples today for the first time since I can grow a beard, so hopefully I'll bring some luck

[Galloisdaman]

I'm gonna be at Staples today for the first time since I can grow a beard, so hopefully I'll bring some luck

I like your avatar! Have fun at the game!

[Neddy]

I'm gonna be at Staples today for the first time since I can grow a beard, so hopefully I'll bring some luck

Im turning 43 in a couple of months and I still can't grow a beard.

and I have a young patient I have watched him grow up over the last ten years, and he's been sporting a beard before he was even eligible to drive.

have a good time at the game, Q!

[QRich3]

Haha nice one Ned

Last time I was here I was wearing a Quinton Ross jersey, so it's been a while, I'm definitely gonna enjoy myself

[og15]

Heat don't have a good record so far, but they are a team that can't be taken lightly.

8 games in, here are the Clippers numbers:

111.4 Ortg (2nd)
104.6 Drtg (14th)
97.3 Pace (20th)
20.8 APG (22nd)

Some thoughts so far:

Ortg looks good, not as good as last season, but so far around the league, Ortg is down as teams seem to be taking some time to get up to speed. So it is a good sign, but it might be hard to stay at 2nd with that number. Still encouraging, and GS (119.0) is far beyond anyone else right now, it's not even close

Drtg also falls in line with the current league-wide offensive production. It is actually a fairly good number, better than last season (though not better than the first 15 games last year), but because the overall the league hasn't been as good so far, it just lands the team as an above average defense as of now. Competition has been in our favor there, so they need to pick it up.

Pace is a bit surprising. I did expect a faster pace, Paul was not a push by himself consistently guy, and we didn't have additional ball handlers outside of Blake in the starting lineup to push. With 4 ball handlers in the starting lineup, I expected to at least get about 2-3 more possessions per game. While they are technically faster, it is marginal and pretty insignificant (97.3 to 96.1), and with everyone else in the league at least so far speeding it up, the Clippers actually look slower relative to the league than previous seasons. The league does tend to be faster early, though, so we'll see if it continues. I am skeptical about their ability to push that pace more, firstly because with the starters playing so much against good teams, they might get tired later in games and slow down, and secondly because without Milos who will get the team a couple of quick baskets with lead passes, they can't add a couple of extra quick possessions per game.

The most disappointing situation though is the assists, and it doesn't seem to be resolving yet or getting better. The lack of a real PG on the roster is a factor, but that shouldn't really cause a team to not play with "flow". In general, the team has relied a lot on individual ability through isolating, attacking mismatches, and attacking the pick and roll and they haven't found a way to truly play off each other. That will be a work in progress, I hope, Gallo has been disappointing as a second option and he certainly needs to pick it up.

For this game, containing Whiteside will be important. The Heats length all round is a good positive for them defensively to be able to cover ground and contest. The Clippers will need to put pressure on them and force them into mistakes, and that should play into their hands.

[Neddy]

Jeez, this is the team we need to beat. as OG said, don't ever overlook this team or any team for that matter, but this is the type of games our boys need to take care of.

[og15]

I did like that they were able to find DJ better last game, so hopefully they can do the same today

[Quake Griffin]

29.

Patches.
No beard.

And I have to run to the office right now.

Smh


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[Neddy]

we still can't hit the 3 ball...

[og15]

I see why Gallo gets a lot of injuries, he's actually a bit out of control at times going to the basket, he needs to be more careful.

[og15]

WILLIE REED!! That was the kind of play needed, Spoelstra can't be happy with his team, lol

[Akklaim1]

Maybe some momentum going into the 2nd half after that Reed buzzer beater off a steal.

[og15]

I knew Gallo had hurt himself on that fall, SMH, more Wesley Johnson

[Akklaim1]

Sam Dekker over Wes Johnson please

[og15]

Finally! Something nice in transition

[JGOJustin]

How many fire doc comments we getting after today's game. O/U?

[Akklaim1]

Can we hire Sean McVay? He could use a side job. He just won't be available on Sundays.

[og15]

Heat are flat now, LET"S GO!

[og15]

That's CLippers ball!