Kawhi Leonard or not, the Clippers are the best team in the West in December. The Grizzlies were able to see this last night by losing their first meeting since Ja Morant's return from suspension and in his presence (117-106). The Californians compensated for the absence of their best player, who missed his 4th game in a row due to hip discomfort, by relying on seven players with 11 points or more.
Top scorer among them, Paul George (23 points) had an evening in two sequences. The winger started his meeting with a festival of clumsiness (1/10) before waking up from the third quarter. A significant rise in power since he will lead his team in his wake in this period largely won by the Clippers (35-21).
Behind him, two men in double-doubles: James Harden, not at all inspired at 3-points, like many other protagonists in this game (30% overall success), and especially Ivica Zubac, whose The activity under the circle did a lot of harm to the Grizzlies. Author of 20 shots, the Clippers pivot grabbed more rebounds than the entire opposing major five!
The Clippers are scared at the end
Up to 21 points ahead, and still 19 points at the start of the last quarter (94-75), after a “double pump” 3-point shot from “PG” at the buzzer of the previous period , the locals thought they would have a quiet end to the evening. This was without counting on the visitors still motivated by an attempt to come back from the score.
Despite fluctuating skill levels behind the arc, the quartet Ja Morant – Jaren Jackson Jr. – Marcus Smart – Desmond Bane will carry Memphis to a 22-9, including a 12-0, in six minutes in the fourth quarter. time. They benefited a lot from some blunders with the ball in hand from the players opposite, notably Russell Westbrook and Norman Powell, who were also productive off the bench.
Coming back to three possessions six minutes from the end (105-97), the Grizzlies were unable to complete their efforts, Paul George finishing the work mainly from the free throw line.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– First setback for Ja Morant. Four wins and no losses. This was the assessment so far of the Memphis leader since his return from suspension. The All-Star “unlocked” his defeat counter last night after a very average personal performance. Discreet in the first period, he made a few finishes at the circle in the third quarter, before missing all his attempts in the final period. We especially remember his 0/7 behind the arc, symptomatic of his difficulties from afar since his return to the courts (only 12%…).
– The Clippers at the top in December. After their great series of 9 consecutive victories, the Californians followed up with two consecutive losses. They have since reacted by beating the Hornets, then the Grizzlies last night. Which gives a final December tally of ten victories in twelve outings. Nobody did better than the Clippers (19v-12d), 4th in the West, over this period.
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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.
