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Clippers Start 2024 Season on a High Note
The LA Clippers got off to a good start to the 2024 season by taking care of business on opening night at home with a 123-111 win against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Summary
The Clippers improved to 3-1 in season openers since Tyronn Lue took over as head coach ahead of the 2020-21 season. They began this game exactly as they said they would during training camp, by getting out and running and creating transition opportunities.
A big reason for that is Russell Westbrook. The Clippers are notorious for being one of the slowest teams in the NBA the past couple of seasons. They’ve struggled to score in transition and struggled to defend in transition. But they haven’t had Westbrook for a full season.
Westbrook pushes the pace and he did just that during the first quarter. The energy and intensity was evident from the start with four of the Clippers first five made shots being dunks. What was even more significant was that all four of those dunks were assisted. Westbrook was a major part in the Clippers ball movement, finishing with a game-high 13 assists.
The Clippers shot out to a double-digit lead early and they only continued that momentum as the game went on. Another key factor in the win was the availability of Kawhi Leonard. Unlike last season, there were no minutes restrictions, no coming off the bench, none of that. He’s completely healthy and he showed it. He finished with a game-high 27 points and was moving incredibly well.
And it was one of those nights where Paul George looks like a top ten player in the league. George is so gifted in terms of athleticism and talent/skill; few players in the league have the type of tools he has at his disposal. When he’s engaged and active like this, he’s a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
Ivica Zubac got the better of his matchup against Deandre Ayton, finishing with 20 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots while shooting 8-10 from the field.
Overall this was a complete team effort. The name of the game for the Clippers is consistency. While this was the inexperienced Blazers, this was the type of energy and intensity the Clippers need to bring all season.
Notes
-Bones Hyland looked like a potential Sixth Man of the Year contender. He finished with 17 points off the bench and dazzled the crowd with his offensive display and passing. He’s going to be counted on to lead the second unit as their primary playmaker and depending on Norman Powell’s production, maybe their primary scorer as well. He’s ready for a big role like this.
-Robert Covington was brilliant defensively. He has a reputation for having some of the quickest hands in the league and perhaps no play best exemplified that than his strip of Anfernee Simons in transition. Simons shot out ahead of the defense only to have Covington sprint back with him and swipe the ball out of his hands preventing what looked like an easy two points. He needs to be a consistent fixture in the rotation this season, unlike last year.
-Mason Plumlee once again had Clippers fans reflecting on what could have been if the team had a competent backup center to start last season. Plumlee comes in and plays his role to perfection. He got a couple points, a couple boards and even a few assists while providing a strong presence around the basket.