Double trip to New York failed for the Clippers version of James Harden. Two days after their defeat at Madison Square Garden, the Californians were unable to react on the floor of neighbors the Knicks (100-93). The Nets, however, were deprived of three starters (Ben Simmons, Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton), who suffered no complexes against Tyronn Lue’s armada.
They were in the lead for a long time in the first period, in a generally sluggish match where neither team had better than 40% shooting success. Taking advantage of their opponents’ offensive difficulties, the Clippers took the lead after 12 minutes (13-21). In a more unbridled second quarter, during which James Harden had fun with several sequences in isolation, the locals reacted to get back into the race at the break (46-49).
Thanks to a little 3-point festival from Lonnie Walker IV, and while Cam Thomas, injured in the ankle, had to return to the locker room, the Brooklyn players even allowed themselves to take the lead against the Clippers, in turn , very struggling to find inspiration in attack. This trend was confirmed in the last quarter when the visitors, limited to 44 points in the second half, were unable to accelerate.
We saw a team clearly lacking in automation. This observation is based on too many ball losses – 8 in the last period – mainly generated by Paul George and James Harden, on phoned passes or too much dribbling. The first, at the same time, insisted too much behind the arc while Kawhi Leonard was forgotten in the “money time” (only two shots taken) and Russell Westbrook finished his match better than he started it .
But the Nets showed more desire, like this possession less than three minutes from the end when Royce O’Neale took two successive offensive rebounds to offer Lonnie Walker IV and Dorian Finney-Smith a chance to score 3-points. Mikal Bridges finally got a third offensive rebound on the same possession with a converted tap. An unworthy sequence for the Clippers, because all the 3-point shots were very open…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– James Harden booed. While waiting for the Clippers to travel to Philadelphia on March 27, which promises to be noisy to say the least, the bearded man has made a remarkable return to his former lands. He was booed by his former audience every time he touched the leather. New York fans have obviously still not digested the transfer request from the former Rockets player after only 80 games played in Brooklyn.
– Resources on the Nets bench. Deprived of Cam Thomas in the second half, Jacque Vaughn had to look for resources on his bench. Lonnie Walker IV responded with his three game-winning baskets in the third quarter, but he wasn’t the only one. Apart from his “poster” on PJ Tucker, invalidated for offensive foul, Trendon Watford had a positive impact. Just like Day’Ron Sharpe with a good double-double coming off the bench or Dennis Smith Jr. who, despite his clumsiness, showed good things in the last act.
– The Clippers do not win away. Undefeated at home against weaker opponents, the Clippers (3-4) have still not won far from their bases. They end their “road trip” next Friday in Dallas, before making three new trips over their next five matches, notably in San Antonio. More comfortable away, the Nets (4-4) have just won their first home match.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
