NBA regular season, the Clippers defeated the Hawks 131-105. This was a rare easy game for the Clippers, as they were well-equipped on both offense and defense, completely suppressing their opponents to secure an easy victory. After the game, the Clippers faced two joys and one concern.
Among them, Leonard's return had a huge impact on the team. Previously, the team was overly focused on Harden, which made it difficult for them to initiate offensive plays. Now that Leonard has returned, there is an additional point of contention on the offensive end, allowing Zubac and Powell to get more open positions. As long as they are not heavily defended, they can freely perform on the court. Moreover, Leonard is still a defensive powerhouse; even though his defensive statistics in this game were not high, he is capable of locking down opposing players by himself. Under this trend, both the offense and defense of the Clippers have been driven, which is why they played so vigorously in this game.
The depth of the Clippers' bench is also quite terrifying. The bench scored 68 points, setting a new season-high. Among them, Coffey, who has recently proven his worth, scored 17 points in this game. Little Jones continued to play a dual-role on both offense and defense, with good shooting accuracy, scoring 12 points. Porter has calmed down, with high efficiency, able to handle the ball and control the rhythm, earning 15 points throughout the game. Mann, after his return, also became an all-around presence on both offense and defense, scoring 12 points. At the same time, Batum remains a versatile player; these individuals will become the main rotation substitutes for the team. With other fringe players occasionally contributing as well, everyone started to give their all once Leonard returned.
However, the Clippers still have one problem: the backup issue for Zubac. Normally, it is Zubac leading other players in the final quarter. If they cannot pull away the score at the beginning, Zubac may need to play the entire game, which is a huge test for his physical endurance. If they cannot strengthen the interior line, the pressure on Zubac will continue to exist. Once Zubac gets injured, the Clippers could collapse. Of course, Batum can temporarily fill the five position, but he can only do so for a short period and cannot become a regular option.