The Clippers and Lakers game was something everyone saw, after all, every Los Angeles derby sparks different fireworks. Judging from the final result, the Clippers were the winning side, achieving a significant 14-point victory. This win not only secured their place in the standings but also accumulated victories for themselves. So, analyzing from the Clippers' perspective, how should we interpret this game? A big win with widespread success, four players contributing to the victory, the Clippers' three giants becoming four, and one player deserving an All-Star spot.
Those who frequently watch the Los Angeles derby know that the Lakers have been suppressed in recent years, while the Clippers have played with their own insights. This game was no exception; the Clippers controlled the pace throughout the match, leading by as much as 26 points at one point, ultimately securing a 14-point victory. For the Clippers, they are already familiar with such a game rhythm, and there are too many people capable of scoring during the game, presenting a widespread success. The Clippers won in their own way, which was quite lively.
So, who contributed to the Clippers' victory? The first is Harden. It's true that Harden's shooting efficiency wasn't high in this game, but his value cannot be measured solely by shooting. While scoring 21 points, Harden also dished out 12 assists, securing a stable 20+10 stat line. This season's Harden is like Paul when he was with the Thunder, experiencing a second spring. It can be foreseen that Harden will make it to the All-Star team this season, though starting might be unlikely, being a substitute is still possible.
The second is Leonard. Leonard now focuses on efficiency, maintaining stable performance within his playing time. Leonard shot 13 times and made 9 shots, scoring 19 points while also contributing 4 assists. Leonard's state is getting better and better, and he is willing to take more actions in the game. For the Clippers, they need such a Leonard. If Leonard can maintain his health in the future, the Clippers will undoubtedly be a stumbling block for some teams this season.
The third is Powell. How about Powell? He hasn't let his form be affected by whether Leonard plays this season. The Clippers could win this game, and Powell also played a significant role. Powell shot 17 times and made 9 shots, scoring 22 points with 4 rebounds and 3 steals. In fact, Powell also deserves to be in the All-Star team, let's see if there's an opportunity later. Powell has played with the feeling of a giant this season, which is not a problem.
The fourth is Zubac. Whenever Zubac faces Davis, he basically always has the upper hand. Throughout the game, Zubac scored 21 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, with 8 of them being offensive rebounds. In fact, you can look at the current Clippers team; taking this game as an example, the Clippers have transformed from the original trio of Harden, Zubac, and Powell into a quartet with the addition of Leonard, which is quite interesting.