The Los Angeles Clippers (19-8) took care of business against the Chicago Bulls (10-15); taking the Bulls by the horns last night 125-106 at United Center. LA, still without Paul George for hopefully the last time, was in the driver’s seat the entire game. In the first 10 minutes of the game they were able to hold the Bulls to only scoring 12 points. Even when Chicago looked like they were going to make it a game, LA would be like “Oh no you don’t” and re-establish a double digit margin. The Bulls’ best player, Zach LaVine, still had a pretty good game with 27 points on 52% shooting, but in the end he was more of an afterthought. The Clippers at the final buzzer come away with a 19 point victory against a much lesser opponent.
STAR OF THE GAME
Got to give it to the KLAW, Kawhi Leonard. His stat line read 33 points on 14 of 21 from the field, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. He led the way the entire game. Knocking down shots from deep and from in close, making plays, and playing stellar defense. He got his 33 points in 33 minutes. If you score a point a minute during an NBA game, you are playing phenomenal. They needed their All-Star and 2 time Finals MVP to play up to his ability last night in the absence of their other All-Star, and he did in a big way. While the Clippers were in the driver’s seat the entire game, it was Kiwai who was the guy behind the wheel driving them to their destination Victory Town.
BIGGEST CONCERN
I really had no concerns after last night other than wondering when Paul George was going to make his return to the floor. They executed well, having only 9 turnovers for the game, and did not take the game off thinking the W was just going to fall into their lap against a bottom-feeder team. The Clippers took the game seriously and looked like the contenders they are. They look like they are really starting to gel as a team under new Head Coach Ty Lue’s leadership. They have been out-rebounded and out-assisted in the game, but did not matter much in the end.
SURPRISE CONTRIBUTOR
Marcus Morris Sr. and his quiet 20 points. I wouldn’t have thought Morris had 20 points last night until I saw the box score. So it was a surprise to me. He hit 6 out of 8 three pointers and 2 out of 2 free-throws, totaling up his 20. Morris has been kind of up and down since he has made his return from injury, but last night he performed like the team-leading scorer he was before he was traded to the Clippers from the New York Knicks last year. He did that last night off the bench. He seems to be adjusting to his new role as a sub, and is starting to find his place on this new iteration of the team. Hopefully he keeps it up and can fill the void left by the departure of last year’s 6th Man of the Year.
Next Game
Vs Cleveland Cavaliers, Sunday, February 14th at 7:00PM
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