On January 5th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with a match between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Atlanta Hawks. The Clippers, as a strong team in the East, ranked 7th in the West with a record of 19 wins and 15 losses after completing 34 rounds of the regular season. They recently suffered two consecutive losses to the Spurs and Thunder, and urgently needed a victory to boost the team's morale. The Hawks, as an emerging force centered around young players, had a fluctuating performance this season. After consecutive losses to the Nuggets and Lakers, they also suffered two consecutive defeats and ranked 7th in the East before the game. This match is a contest between the 7th-ranked teams from the East and West, and it is particularly noteworthy that Leonard made his comeback debut in this round, as well as the strong confrontation between Harden and Trae Young. Who will lead their team to victory in the end? Let's wait and see.
Ultimately, after four quarters of competition, the Clippers defeated the Hawks 131-105. Player ratings: 4 players scored perfectly, 4 passed, and 2 struggled!
With the departure of Paul George and Leonard's long absence, Harden had to lead the team alone. Although their performance was also up and down, it was much more optimistic than expected. However, they lost consecutively to the Spurs and Thunder in the last two rounds, which affected the team's morale. They urgently needed a victory to boost the morale of the entire team. Facing the Hawks, who just suffered a tough battle and were defeated by the Lakers yesterday, today's away back-to-back challenge against the Clippers was a severe test for their physical fitness. For the Clippers, it was a matter of waiting for work, taking advantage of the home court to defeat their opponents and stop the losing streak. The Hawks' performance this season can be described as nerve-wracking. They could win against top league teams like the Cavaliers and Celtics, but they could also be "double-killed" by the Wizards, such a bottom team in the East. It is really a team that is hard to figure out. The team has lost consecutively to the Nuggets and Lakers in the last two rounds, and morale has plummeted. This round also needs a victory to wash away the shadow of defeat.
The starting lineups for both sides are as follows:
Clippers: Harden, Leonard, Zubac, Powell, Dunn.
Hawks: Trae Young, Daniels, Krajicek, Lissah, Capela.
Summary of the whole game:
In the first quarter, after the Clippers got the first attack, Powell opened the scoring with a layup for 2 points. Trae Young responded with a jumper for 2 points, making it 2-2. The Clippers made a mistake, and the Hawks counterattacked with Lissah hitting a three-pointer. Leonard responded with a strong three-pointer, and Daniels responded with a layup for 2 points, making it 7-7. Trae Young made two free throws, Powell responded with a breakthrough layup for 2 points, Krajicek missed a follow-up three-pointer, and the Clippers counterattacked with Dunn hitting a layup for another 2 points. Capela responded with a turnaround layup for 2 points, and Dunn was called for a foul, giving the Hawks a one-for-one free throw, with a timeout at 10-11. After the timeout, Trae Young made a free throw, then missed a layup, and the Clippers counterattacked with Little Jones dunking for 2 points. Krajicek responded with a three-pointer, and Little Jones responded with an alley-oop dunk for 2 points. The Hawks fouled, and Powell hit a three-pointer under cover for 14-18. Trae Young made a mistake, and Little Jones dunked for 2 points, forcing a timeout for the Hawks at 14-20.
After the timeout, the Hawks made continuous mistakes, and Batum counterattacked with a two-handed gliding dunk for 2 points + Harden hit a fadeaway jumper for 2 points, making it 14-24. Daniels missed a layup, and the Clippers counterattacked with Coffey hitting a turnaround jump shot for a 2+1, with the extra point made. The Hawks continued to make mistakes, and the Clippers counterattacked with Little Jones dunking for another 2 points. Matthews received the ball and hit a three-pointer, drawing a foul and adding a free throw for 18-29. Harden missed a layup, and the Hawks counterattacked with Lissah being fouled on the reception, making both free throws. Little Jones missed a three-pointer, and the Hawks counterattacked with Matthews hitting a three-pointer for 23-29. Coffey missed a three-pointer, and the Hawks counterattacked with Trae Young hitting a trailing three-pointer. Harden missed a three-pointer, and Lissah took off with a one-armed dunk for another 2 points, ending the first quarter with the Hawks trailing the Clippers 28-29.
In the second quarter, Coffey hit a three-pointer upon receiving the ball, making it 28-32. Matthews made a mistake, and the Clippers counterattacked with Powell hitting a layup for another 2 points. Matthews made two free throws in response, Rody hit a jumper for another 2 points, and Little Porter drew a foul and made both free throws in response, making it 35-36. As Powell hit a three-pointer upon receiving the ball + Zubac stole the ball and dunked with both hands for 2 points + Coffey hit a set three-pointer, the Clippers went on an 8-point run, forcing a timeout for the Hawks at 35-44. After the timeout, Porter hit a turnaround jumper for another 2 points, Lissah hit a layup for 2 points to stop the bleeding, and Coffey responded with a three-pointer. Trae Young responded with a jumper for 2 points, with Porter drawing a foul and making one of two free throws. The Hawks were broken, and Porter dunked with both hands for another 2 points. Harden connected with Leonard, who hit a trailing three-pointer, Coffey hit a layup for 2 points and drew a foul, making the extra point, and Powell hit a three-pointer from the top of the arc, forcing a timeout for the Hawks at 39-61.
After the timeout, Zubac hit a jumper for 2 points, Hunter hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, Powell hit a jumper for 2 points + Little Jones ate the cake for 2 points, Trae Young responded with a prairie three-pointer, Zubac responded with a turnaround dunk for 2 points, Capela responded with an eat-the-cake layup for 2 points, Leonard responded with a three-pointer, Matthews missed a three-pointer, and the Clippers counterattacked with Little Jones hitting a layup for another 2 points. Hunter responded with a three-pointer, Daniels hit a gliding finger roll for another 2 points, and Hunter hit a layup for another 2 points, ending the half with the Hawks trailing the Clippers by 20 points at 54-74.
In the second half, the Clippers made a 24-22 run in a single quarter, ending the third quarter with a lead extended to 22 points. In the final quarter, both sides engaged in fierce competition, and the Clippers eventually won big at home, defeating the Hawks 131-105.
Player ratings for the Clippers are as follows:
Harden [Perfect Score]
Today, Harden started again, coming in with average form and a slightly low shooting percentage. However, he played the role of the team's core, providing great support to the offense and revitalizing the team. He contributed 2 points, 1 rebound, and 7 assists at the end of the first quarter, 2 points, 1 rebound, and 13 assists at halftime, and finished the game with 10+2+15.
Dunn [Struggling]
Today, Dunn started again, with limited shooting opportunities and an acceptable shooting percentage. He was very active in rebounding. He contributed 2 points and 1 rebound at the end of the first quarter, 2 points and 1 rebound at halftime, and finished the game with 2+3+0.
Zubac [Perfect Score]
Today, Zubac started again, with limited shooting opportunities but a good shooting percentage. He was in good control of rebounds, had excellent defense, and could also connect the team. He contributed 2 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists at the end of the first quarter, 8 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists at halftime, and finished the game with 18+18+4.
Powell [Perfect Score]
Today, Powell started again, coming in with good form and a high shooting percentage. He performed averagely in other aspects. He contributed 7 points and 1 rebound at the end of the first quarter, 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist at halftime, and finished the game with 20+4+1.
Leonard [Passing]
Today, Leonard made his comeback debut, coming in with average form and a low shooting percentage. However, he was in good control of rebounds. He contributed 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist at the end of the first quarter, 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist at halftime, and finished the game with 12+3+1.
Derrick