After having reassured themselves a little against the Rockets and against the Spurs, and above all having accumulated three consecutive victories, the Clippers hosted the Pelicans for a more interesting test.
Result ? Another slow start for Tyronn Lue’s men, trailing by 21 points (33-12) after just 10 minutes. Fortunately for them, Norman Powell revived them by scoring 11 points in six minutes, straddling the first and second quarters. Herb Jones and rookie Jordan Hawkins calm Los Angeles’ comeback with 3-pointers, but Los Angeles has finally started its game, and is only one point away (56-55) at halftime.
The two teams no longer leave each other, each seeking to press on the right players in order to create the decisive gap. Zion Williamson will take care of it for the Pelicans.
Brandon Ingram on the bench to start the fourth quarter, the strong winger takes out his hammer to bludgeon the Clippers inside and increase the gap to +7 (93-86). It’s Norman Powell again who tries to bring the Clippers back, but Herb Jones responds to him while Brandon Ingram returns to make his game speak at mid-distance.
At +13 (107-94) approaching the last five minutes, things smell bad for Los Angeles, but Paul George continues to fight like hell, and the Pelicans’ legs are shaking.
It messes up with a brick from Brandon Ingram, followed by an airball from Kawhi Leonard then a counter from Larry Nance Jr. on Paul George. But the Clippers close ranks in defense and on a new basket from Norman Powell, they close to four small points (110-106). There are 53 seconds left to play and the heist is possible!
Fans at the Crypto.com Arena believe it, especially since James Harden holds the first shock against Zion Williamson, and seems to take the rebound on the opposing interior miss. But the latter completely snatches the ball from his hands to put the ball back in the circle. With his butt on the ground, “The Beard” knows that mass is said. At +6, the Pelicans will no longer be joined and the Clippers are therefore eliminated from the In-Season Tournament.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A “Fab Four” still in slow motion. Rhythm is the key for these Clippers who are looking for themselves. When they play like at the start of the match, that is to say in slow motion, they are really not dangerous, and even quite easily maneuverable. Even if he hasn’t been extraordinarily effective, Paul George has at least sped things up, while James Harden and Kawhi Leonard are trying to get their thing going, but also seem lacking in tempo. Russell Westbrook, little used, was the other way around…
– The Williamson/Ingram double blade. Fifth victory in six games for the Pelicans, who were again able to rely on the double blade Zion Williams – Brandon Ingram. While the Clippers were not far from getting their hands on the match, it was the interior (32 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) who bludgeoned the Clippers defense at the start of the fourth quarter, Brandon Ingram (30 points, 5 assists) joining him to make his play speak at mid-distance, and recreate the gap. Before this final offensive rebound from Zion Williamson to close the match.
– The Clippers eliminated from the tournament. With this victory, the Pelicans take the lead in Group B in the West and are assured of finishing in one of the first two places. Unsurprisingly, with this third defeat in four outings, the Clippers are eliminated from the competition.
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.
