Darian Vaziri here, the host of the daily Locked On Clippers podcast, with your daily Locked On Clippers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Clippers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
How The LA Clippers Smacked The 76ers En Route To A 5th Straight Win
Nov 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) drives against Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross/Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Clippers’ Defensive Masterclass: A New Era of Dominance
The Los Angeles Clippers are on a roll, securing their fifth consecutive victory with a commanding win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite missing key players like Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers showcased an impressive defensive performance that left the 76ers’ fans in disbelief. This victory wasn’t just about the scoreline; it was a testament to the Clippers’ defensive prowess, led by standout performances from Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. The 76ers, however, were without Joel Embiid and former Clipper Paul George.
Defensive Prowess: The Dunn and Jones Jr. Effect
In my two decades as a Clippers fan, I’ve never witnessed a defensive unit as formidable as this one. Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. have been instrumental in this transformation. Dunn’s on-ball defense is exceptional, with his ability to move his feet and use his hands effectively, disrupting passing lanes and creating turnovers. His anticipation and off-ball defense have drawn comparisons to a free safety in football, highlighting his elite defensive instincts.
Jones Jr. complements Dunn perfectly, with both players excelling in rotation and switching, making it a nightmare for opposing offenses. Their athleticism and ability to cover ground quickly have been crucial in setting the defensive tone for the team. Head coach Tyronn Lue’s decision to start Dunn over Terance Mann has paid dividends, resulting in strong defensive starts and overall team cohesion.
James Harden: The Offensive Conductor
While the defense has been the star, James Harden’s offensive contributions cannot be overlooked. Harden has been the driving force behind the Clippers’ scoring, setting the tone early in games and creating opportunities for his teammates. His ability to draw fouls and score efficiently has been vital, especially in the absence of Powell. Harden’s leadership and playmaking have been pivotal in maintaining the team’s offensive rhythm, even as he continues to find his shooting touch.
Harden’s impact extends beyond scoring; his presence on the court commands attention from opposing defenses, often leading to mismatches and open shots for his teammates. His experience and basketball IQ have been invaluable, allowing the Clippers to exploit defensive schemes and maintain their winning streak.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Clippers’ defensive strategies and James Harden’s role, tune into the Locked On Clippers podcast for this and much more.
**Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Clippers Podcast:**
- The growth and playmaking of Ivica Zubac
- Analysis of the Clippers’ defensive ratings compared to past seasons
- The impact of Amir Coffey and his contributions in Powell’s absence
- A look at the Clippers’ upcoming challenge against the Boston Celtics
- Discussion on Terrence Mann’s current form and potential lineup changes
For a comprehensive breakdown of these topics and more, don’t miss the latest episode of the Locked On Clippers podcast.
It was the three second violation heard round the world. Kidding, but it was strange enough that you looked to confirmation of what you were seeing to those around you, and/or rewatched the replay of it several times.
Posted up under the Raptors basket, Rudy Gobert had Scottie Barnes on his back in a mismatch and was calling to Julius Randle for the ball. Beyond the arc. Randle dribbled the ball, unhurried, as the shot clock ticked down. He’s eyeing the lane, would clearly prefer to drive, and even plants a foot to take off from when the whistle finally comes for Gobert, strolling out of the key nonchalantly, with all the urgency you’d approach a dental appointment.
Still frustrated, Gobert then needlessly hip-checked Barnes at the other end, sending him to the line and sending the Raptors up in the match and in momentum. Toronto won 110-105.
You can take your pick for what’s more worrisome, because the perspective shifts depending on the root of a few problems the Wolves face.
That Gobert opted to showboat his frustration is definitely the most obvious, in terms of visibility. It isn’t the first time he’s let his petulant side out on the floor. That Randle saw Gobert — impossible not to with his long arm up and waving — and chose to ignore him, dribbling the ball into oblivion instead, is another concern. The biggest question around the Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns trade was fit — for playing style and chemistry. A slight detail that nearly gets lost in the sequence is that Jaden McDaniels hustled for a really long rebound, swung it to Randle, and the urgency of that move was immediately sapped by what transpired.
Taken individually, these would be wrinkles for a working team to smooth by the next match. And yes, both Randle and Gobert addressed the sequence, with Randle prompting media to “name a perfect family” and Gobert saying “people think great teams are the teams where the sky is always blue”. Normally, I’d enjoy an athlete beginning with a euphemism, in this case, it feels like aversion.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse made an honest statement following a blowout loss to the Clippers, reflecting on the team’s performance and areas for improvement. (Sports Illustrated)
Celebrate James Harden scored 23 points against his former team, leading the Clippers to a victory over the 76ers and lifting his current team’s spirits. (Daily News)
Preview The Los Angeles Clippers will face the Boston Celtics at TD Garden at 7:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Legacy Nikola Jokic continues to redefine basketball creativity with his full-court swat attempt against the Lakers, nearly achieving an incredible buzzer-beater despite the constraints of the Trent Tucker rule. (CBS Sports)
Biz NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill discusses his investment in women’s sports and managing Team USA, highlighting his active retirement and commitment to sports development. (The Ringer NBA Show)
Rumor Western Conference coaches and executives are reportedly frustrated with the East’s playoff picture, suggesting a shift to a 1-16 seeding format to enhance fairness and competition. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) takes videos with his phone after the game against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to reflect on the standout performances and crucial player updates that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With six games on the slate this past Sunday, there was no shortage of action and intrigue.
Player Updates and Injury News
One of the most significant updates this week involves Ja Morant, who has been upgraded to questionable. The Memphis Grizzlies have a consistent pattern of moving players from doubtful to questionable before they return to play, so Morant’s return seems imminent. Marcus Smart is also off the injury report, ready to make his comeback. However, the Grizzlies are still without Vince Williams Jr., who is sidelined for weeks, and Zach Edey.
In New Orleans, the return of key players is on the horizon. While Herb Jones remains out, Jordan Hawkins is back, and CJ McCollum is expected to play soon. Dejounte Murray has been upgraded to doubtful, indicating he might return later this week. These returns will undoubtedly shake up the rotations and fantasy implications for players like BJ Boston and ElfridPayton.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been idle since Wednesday, and Alex Caruso, who aggravated a hip injury, is out again. This extended absence is concerning for fantasy managers holding Caruso. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng’s fractured finger will keep him out for three to four weeks, opening up reserve minutes for Dillon Jones until Jaylin Williams returns.
