Game #65: Clippers @ GSW Thursday 3/2 7 PM—TNT

[esqtvd]

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"I think he's doing a good job," Leonard said of Westbrook. "He's playing both ends of the floor, running and getting us the ball in our spots, being aggressive in his moments, knocking down shots, getting to the paint, kicking out, so he's playing good."

Russell Westbrook has done everything the Clippers have asked of him within three games. He's hit clutch shots in overtime, and also not played a fourth quarter entirely. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, the Clippers just haven't won those games. Whether it's from a plethora of team turnovers, missed defensive assignments, or someone failing to get a rebound. Fans want to blame Marcus Morris, but he didn't even play in the fourth quarter or overtime against the Sacramento Kings. Fans want to blame Russell Westbrook, but he didn't even play in the fourth quarter or overtime against the Denver Nuggets.

The LA Clippers only have 18 games left. This team has to figure out how to win, because they're losing on the margins and there's very little time left.
© 2023

https://www.si.com/nba/clippers/news/kawhi-leonard-reacts-to-russell-westbrooks-time-on-clippers

[PeteyPablo]

The Kings had way more urgency to win the game and they played the night before.

The Nuggets are a well oiled machine and have the jokic effect. Clippers could have won both of those games had they been a tiny bit more focused in all aspects.

Marcus Morris usually walks or jogs back and lacks transition defense while the opponent a race past him.

Paul George will also lack focus and seems a bit casual at times where the opponent is fierce and has a plan of attack.

Others are giving their share of effort but this is a team game.

Minnesota just wanted it more on Tuesday. It may be a known thing now that if you play the Clippers they will not show up for a full 48 minutes and out hustling them is a great way to beat them.

[Scoundreldays]

A must win game. Can we actually follow our slogan of "Give no quarter" for once.

I promised myself I won't get upset while watching the game tonight if it goes bad lol.

[clipperlover]

Clips should have won vs Minny. Home game vs bad road team.

The game was really lost during a 60 second stretch in the 4th. Powell had just put up 7 pts and was driving and Batum had hit a 3. Clips had the lead down to 6. Minny missed a FG attempt. Here is where it went downhill:
1. PG grabs the rebound and jacks up a 3 9 minutes into the shot clock rather than drive to the hoop or get the ball to Powell.
2. Minny rebounds and hits a bucket (back down 8), but luckily miss the And 1 FT
3. PG rebounds the missed FT. The possession ends with a PG missed 3 and shot clock violation.

So, during that stretch, Norm Powell did not get a shot up or a drive and we had 2 missed PG 3s. We had Minny on their heels and didn't attack. After that stretch, they subbed back in many of their starters.

[esqtvd]

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[Scoundreldays]

Warriors don't have alot of bigs outside Looney so it wouldn't be the worst game for Zu to miss. Plumblee may also be better for the faster pace they play.

If Morris is out I wonder who Ty Lue will start

[LamarWho]

Clips should have won vs Minny. Home game vs bad road team.

I think the Kings game was much more "should have won" than the Minny game. Kudos to PG and Ty Belichick.

[nickhx2]

guys, the more "must win" that these games are considered, the more you're gonna be let down when things go badly!

don't do it!!!!

[madmaxmedia]

guys, the more "must win" that these games are considered, the more you're gonna be let down when things go badly!

don't do it!!!!

I would say they feel more ‘must win’ than they really are, it’s more for our sanity than anything else.

I mean we could lose tonight, and then go on a 5 game win streak and get back to reasonable playoff standing. We like to construct narratives whenever we win or lose a couple of games, but they usually only hold temporarily.

[Ballings7]

Man another TNT game.. they've seen some of the worst results of this team all year.

Hopefully not a loss and get a solid win on the road.. this team is overdue!

Like c'mon..

[nickhx2]

guys, the more "must win" that these games are considered, the more you're gonna be let down when things go badly!

don't do it!!!!

I would say they feel more ‘must win’ than they really are, it’s more for our sanity than anything else.

I mean we could lose tonight, and then go on a 5 game win streak and get back to reasonable playoff standing. We like to construct narratives whenever we win or lose a couple of games, but they usually only hold temporarily.

pretty much why i dislike "must win" as a term lol.

they're probably more like "this would be really big and meaningful if we win, and if not it sucks or really sucks but it's actually not the total end of the world, but the team has to pick it up at another point in time"

[Scoundreldays]

For a lack of better world it is to me since Warriors are missing both Curry and Wiggins. It would be pretty painful if we lost. But like I said I won't let myself get upset this time lol

[MartinToVaught]

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Leave it to Lue to still screw it up even when Morris can't play, all because of his insane bias against Mann.

[KL2]

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[Bobbymcgee]

While I feel like the Clippers should win this game the fact is the Warriors have a slightly better record than the Clippers right now and they play really well at home with a 25W-7L record at the Chase Center.

[Scoundreldays]

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Interesting I didn't even think about statting Gorden.

[esqtvd]

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Interesting I didn't even think about starting Gordon.

Fans want to bench a guy after a bad quarter lol. Good coaches invest in their guys and FAs will choose to come play for them. Ty has given everybody on this roster a fair shot. [RoCo might be a special case--remember, he was hurt then got COVID and IMO has just has never caught up.]

That said, I think EJ caught one last break here. His plus/minus is even worse than Wall's, and you know what happened to him.

[madmaxmedia]

Pretty sure we will see a Psycho Gor-Mann lineup at some point tonight, wonder what the plus/minus will be for that group.

[Scoundreldays]

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Interesting I didn't even think about starting Gordon.

Fans want to bench a guy after a bad quarter lol. Good coaches invest in their guys and FAs will choose to come play for them. Ty has given everybody on this roster a fair shot. [RoCo might be a special case--remember, he was hurt then got COVID and IMO has just has never caught up.]

That said, I think EJ caught one last break here. His plus/minus is even worse than Wall's, and you know what happened to him.

I was honestly expecting Tmann or Batum to start I knew better than to expect Roco. It does make sense though since he was in the closing lineup a few games ago. He also has some familiarity with Russ since they were teammates in Houston.

[LamarWho]

Free Roco!!!