In a recent game, the Clippers defeated the Warriors 102-92 and currently hold the fifth spot in the Western Conference with a win rate close to 60%. This win rate is reminiscent of James Harden's time in Philadelphia, where he led the team to a 63% win rate when Joel Embiid was not playing. However, Harden's performance with the Clippers is slightly lower than his solo efforts in Philadelphia. This could be attributed to the team configuration, as in Philadelphia, when Embiid was absent, Harden had Maxey to rely on for scoring and Harris also had more opportunities due to the absence of the "Emperor." Additionally, Philadelphia had a young defensive specialist like Melton, who was similar to a younger version of Beverley. The difference between Philadelphia and Brooklyn lies in their approach; Philadelphia didn't have grand ambitions and simply focused on building around Harden when Embiid was out. The Clippers, on the other hand, have a purer strategy, combining Leonard's playing style to revolve their tactics around Harden. This is because Leonard's style can fit into any team, making him akin to a cheat code that can be plugged into any system. As Harden mentioned in an interview, Leonard expressed anxiety about his return, fearing it might disrupt the Clippers' established chemistry. Harden reassured him, stating that his playing style naturally complements the current roster, likening it to upgrading Dunn to Leonard. Leonard was immediately pleased and no longer worried. Leonard's return doesn't significantly affect Harden individually; he remains the tactical core but may see a slight decrease in…

The Lakers managed to defeat the Kings without James, which has made things difficult for the Clippers as they have now dropped to sixth in the Western Conference. However, with Leonard set to return to play soon, the Clippers' future looks promising. The recent performance of the Lakers has been puzzling. Despite James being unable to play due to a cold, they managed to defeat the Kings at home. After this game, the Lakers' record caught up with the Clippers, and because they have performed better against Western Conference teams, their ranking is now ahead of the Clippers. The Clippers have not been playing smoothly recently. In their last few games, their offense has seemed off, especially in critical moments when they struggle to find someone to score. Although Harden has joined the team, he appears to have not fully adapted to the team's style of play, making the Clippers' offense appear disorganized. In fact, the Clippers' defense has always been solid, with a top-five defensive efficiency in the league, indicating that they are quite capable on the defensive end. However, the current issue is that the offense is too reliant on individual ability. When Leonard is not on the court, the team's offensive options become particularly limited. Leonard is finally returning to play. Previously, there were reports that he could return before Christmas, but it has been delayed until now. However, it has now been confirmed that he will make his comeback in the game against the Hawks on January 5th, which is a timely boost for the Clippers.…

The Clippers' victory over the Warriors was witnessed by all, despite the Warriors' comeback attempt in the fourth quarter. The Clippers emerged victorious, securing their second consecutive win. With this win, the Clippers now have an 18-13 record, placing them fifth in the Western Conference. What noteworthy information has emerged following the Clippers' two consecutive victories? There is good news for Leonard, Harden has officially confirmed something, and Powell has made a request. This season's Clippers are undoubtedly one of the toughest teams in the West. They lack star players, with some having suffered injuries and missed numerous games, yet they continue to hold their ground. Winning 18 out of the first 31 games is quite impressive. It's worth considering that with Harden's strong ability to cover for his teammates and Tyronn Lue's skill in utilizing underutilized players, they have managed to establish themselves in the competitive Western Conference. As the Clippers celebrate their wins, fans eagerly await Leonard's return. What is the current situation with Leonard? There is good news: he is expected to return in next week's game. Tyronn Lue mentioned using Leonard's tactics in training to help him maintain his rhythm upon his return. However, it should be noted that Leonard will not be back for the next three games, as he will not travel with the team during the three-game road trip; his return will have to wait until the home game. Regarding Leonard's return, Harden has his own perspective. He confirmed that during the game, he discussed the matter with Leonard, who expressed his desire…

Whoever said Kawhi would return around Christmas, please step forward and take the criticism - he has already announced that he will be out for the season in 2024. The good news is that according to American media reports, Kawhi aims to return on January 5th next year, in the Clippers' home game against the Hawks. Kawhi has completed the team's 5v5 training, which indicates that his return is imminent. Without Kawhi, the Clippers have managed to achieve an 18-13 record and rank fifth in the Western Conference so far this season. Once their star player returns and they enter their complete form, won't they just take off? It's worth noting that as the Clippers rose to fifth in the West, the Warriors dropped to 11th in the West. In the first 15 games of the season, the Warriors could still rank first in the West with a record of 12 wins and 3 losses, but in the last 15 games, they only managed 3 wins and 12 losses. However, the more they lose, the faster the Warriors will seek a third star player, and they are very hopeful of leading the first major trade that will shock the entire league this season. Sorry, but the Heat recently made it clear that they will not trade Butler, so the Warriors have to look elsewhere. To get back to the main point, Kawhi's return will quickly enhance the Clippers' offensive capabilities. So far, they have an average score of 109.4 (22nd in the league) and an offensive efficiency of 110.7 (21st),…

The Los Angeles Clippers have improved their ranking this season compared to last year, with James Harden and Norman Powell leading the team to a fifth-place finish in the Western Conference. With the return of Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have the potential to challenge for a top-four spot. This season, the Clippers have faced the Golden State Warriors three times and have won all three encounters. Since leaving the Houston Rockets, Harden has a record of 7 wins and 2 losses against the Warriors, compared to his previous record of 1 win and 15 losses during his time with the Rockets. Firstly, the Clippers defeated the Warriors with six players scoring in double figures, showcasing their depth and versatility. Powell, Ivica Zubac, and Harden combined for 62 points, 18 rebounds, and 12 assists, leading the team to victory. The Clippers have won four out of their last five games, steadily improving their winning percentage. Not only are Harden, Powell, and Zubac playing at a high level, but other players like Derrick Jones Jr., Denzel Dunn, and Terance Mann are also setting new personal bests, contributing to the team's balanced offense and defense. Secondly, the Clippers' winning streak was further bolstered by a gift from their competitors. The Denver Nuggets suffered two consecutive losses, allowing the Clippers to overtake them and move up to fifth place in the West. The Clippers now lead the Nuggets by one game and trail the fourth-placed Dallas Mavericks by two games. To reclaim a top-four position, the Clippers must maintain their winning streak, which is…

Before the game, the Warriors announced that Curry would not play against the Clippers and would return in the next game against the Suns. It's obvious that Durant is really pitiful, having just lost to the Mavericks today, and tomorrow he has to play back-to-back against the Warriors, still as an away game. Of course, the weakened Warriors had no way to deal with the Clippers, and the Clippers eventually defeated the Warriors 102-92 to win two consecutive victories. In fact, the Warriors started strong in the first quarter, with Harden starting 1 for 5 and not very interested in shooting, while the Clippers' tactics were still the usual pick-and-roll. Kerr's strategy today was to attack with defense, starting Schroder and Hield, two guns who can score without defense. Then Li Keller was promoted to start at the four position, Wiggins at three, plus center Davis. The Warriors were organized by Li Keller and finished by Davis, but Wiggins had poor shooting, while the Clippers' offense was average, but their defense was good enough to contain the opponent. The Warriors only scored 21 points in the first quarter, while the Clippers scored 19. It wasn't until the second quarter that the Clippers didn't give them a chance, and Harden started to take over. Before halftime, Harden hit two key threes to help the team lead the Warriors 49-43. Harden had 10 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block in the first half, shooting 3 for 7 and 2 for 4 from three-point range. That block was impressive. He fell…