The Clippers achieved a thrilling victory over the Pelicans with a score of 116-113, successfully securing their third consecutive win! This game was filled with drama from the start, as the Clippers once trailed by 14 points and seemed on the verge of being outpaced by the Pelicans. However, the Clippers staged an impressive comeback in the second half, culminating in an exciting victory.
Notably, Harden's key performance in the third quarter, along with the strong showings by Powell and Zubac, ultimately helped the Clippers complete a risky comeback and secure the win.
Let's talk about the game process. The Clippers seemed a bit off at the beginning, allowing the Pelicans to open up a lead. At the craziest moment, the Clippers were down by 14 points.
Under such circumstances, who would have thought the Clippers could still turn things around?
Harden is a tough player indeed!
In the third quarter, he was on fire, nailing three-pointers one after another, scoring an explosive 13 points in a single quarter, leading the Clippers to gradually catch up with the Pelicans.
Can Harden play any stronger?
At the critical moment, he stepped up, and everyone knows that with Harden, the Clippers are just different!
This game was a testament to Harden's value!
A netizen commented that if Harden can maintain this form, the Clippers really have a chance to challenge for the top four in the West!
As the game entered the final quarter, Powell and Zubac of the Clippers played pivotal roles.
Powell continuously scored with aggressive offense, while Zubac displayed his dominance under the basket, especially grabbing some crucial rebounds, leaving the Pelicans with no chance to counterattack.
Just take that 18-0 run, it almost made people jump for joy.
Ultimately, the Clippers relied on Harden's free throws in the closing moments to stabilize the situation, securing their third consecutive win.
We must mention Powell, who was in an explosive state in this game, scoring 35 points.
His offense was truly comprehensive, especially in the critical moments, directly shouldering the burden of the Clippers' attack.
At that moment, Powell was not just one person, but a whole team!
Powell was insane, feeling like he had entered a super mode, with netizens excitedly stating that whether it was a three-pointer or a breakthrough, he could make it.
It's players like this who will lead the team further!
Under the basket, Zubac was also active, contributing 20 points and 16 rebounds throughout the game. Not only did he score himself, but he also grabbed many key rebounds from the opposition at crucial moments, truly becoming an interior fortress.
Watching his performance under the basket, it felt like the Pelicans' offense was swallowed up as soon as they approached the rim!
The Clippers did not win this game easily, but regardless, their three consecutive victories have given fans a lot of confidence, especially with Leonard's return, the team's overall strength is sure to reach new heights.
If Leonard can stay healthy, the Clippers really have the potential to become a dark horse in the West, or even a strong contender for the championship.
If Leonard could return earlier, the Clippers would be unstoppable!
Fans wrote on social media that with Harden and Powell playing so well, Leonard's return is simply a perfect match!
To be fair, although the Clippers played well, they cannot let their guard down.
The Clippers will face the Spurs and Thunder next, and whether they can maintain this form is still uncertain.
Especially the Spurs, although their record isn't great, the Clippers cannot underestimate the impact of young players.
The Clippers' ability to continue their winning streak will depend on the upcoming games, especially against the Spurs and Thunder, where they cannot be complacent.
Some fans reminded.
In the upcoming games, the Clippers may consider adjusting their lineup based on Leonard's recovery, or even giving Harden some rest, as prolonged high-intensity competition is also a test for the players.
It can be foreseen that once Leonard returns, the Clippers' overall strength will undoubtedly see a significant boost.
At that point, coupled with the fiery form of Harden and Powell, the Clippers will become even more formidable.
Looking back at this game, the Clippers' performance was incredibly inspiring, especially the trio of Harden, Powell, and Zubac, who fought so hard!
Although McCollum of the Pelicans scored 33 points in a single game, delivering a top-tier performance, he alone couldn't lead the Pelicans through this crisis, ultimately failing to help them secure the victory.
McCollum really gave it his all, but the efforts of one person are ultimately limited.
A netizen expressed that if the Pelicans had more support, the outcome might have been different.
The significance of this victory for the Clippers goes beyond just winning a game; it also showcased the team's resilience and determination in critical moments, especially with Harden's addition making their offense smoother, and Powell and Zubac stepping up in the clutch.
If they can maintain this form and add Leonard's return, the Clippers' future is undoubtedly bright.
The upcoming schedule is still challenging, but as long as they keep up this performance, the Clippers have every chance to challenge for the top four in the West, or even go further.