By Mykell Mathieu
The Clippers dominate the Kings from the tipoff to pick up their fifth straight win, 119-99.
Los Angeles has looked a totally different team since starting 0-5 after acquiring James Harden.
Coming off a hard-fought victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.
The Clippers dominated Sacramento with great effort on both ends of the floor.
“The biggest thing for me is (that the players are) just staying with it,” said Coach Tyronn Lue. “I think early on it was tough for us just trying to figure out how we wanted to play, trying to figure out rotations and all the different things and how James, PG (Paul George), Kawhi (Leonard) and Russell (Westbrook) all play together.”
Leonard was at it again with a stellar offensive performance scoring 31 points all without playing in the final period. Leonard during this current winning streak is averaging 28.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5 assists per game.
“(Kawhi) is picking his spots… he is getting some easy catch and shoot threes,” said Lue. “Teams try to double team him but he is going quicker before the double team is getting there. He is either getting to the basket, getting to his shot or getting to the free throw line.”
The team shot 52.4% from the field and nearly 40% from three. Four players were in double figures and for the second game straight shared the ball well with each other finishing with 21 assists on 44 field goals made.
As great as the offense was for LA, the defense was that much better. The Clippers shut down a top-10 scoring offense by allowing only 79 points. The Kings finished the game shooting just 41.9% and 27% from three.
“I think we were locked in defensively and that’s where it all starts for us,” Lue said. “When we get stops and get out in transition, we’re a hard team to beat. So, it all started on the defensive end.”
Kings’ star De’Aaron Fox struggled throughout due to the smothering defense from the Clippers shooting five for 16 while finishing with just 14 points. Fox came into the game averaging 30 points per game.
Up next for the Clippers is a matchup with the last team to defeat them, the Golden State Warriors. The two teams will matchup Thursday night in LA.
The Clippers have split with the Warriors so far this season and look to take the season advantage with their possible sixth straight win.
