The Clippers have one remaining preseason game, one more chance for Coach Tyronn Lue to get a look at what lineups and schemes might work before the regular season kicks off next week. One more game on Friday night against the Golden State Warriors before it all counts.
Yet, Lue isn’t ready to make any hard decisions about who will be the fifth starter or how the second unit will shake out. That will take time.
“It’s going to take us 15-20 games into the season to really understand our rotations, our chemistry, how we want to play, who fits,” Lue told reporters on Wednesday after the Clippers routed the host Sacramento Kings to improve to 2-1 in the preseason. “So, I’m excited about that.”
The Clippers continue to have rough spots, namely within the first unit, Lue said. He said there were more turnovers than he liked by the starters (six) and the spacing at times went awry on Wednesday. Eleven-time All-Star guard James Harden had three of the team’s 13 turnovers and failed to shot 0 for 6 from 3-point range.
“Defensively, (the first unit was) really good,” Lue said. “Offensively, we weren’t really good. Our spacing was messed up; we had turnovers that were unforced.
“But we have time. We just got to keep getting better. We got time to do what we have to start doing.”
One area Lue isn’t too concerned with is the second unit, where backup center Brook Lopez and power forward John Collins have forged a nearly indefensible tandem. The two combined for 40 points and 10 rebounds in the Clippers’ 109-91 victory against the Kings.
“It’s just awesome. We have such a talented group,” Lopez said of a reserve unit that also includes veteran point guard Chris Paul, forward Nicolas Batum and guard Kris Dunn. “Everyone on the floor can put the ball in the basket. It’s just a matter of trusting everyone, letting the ball pop. going side-to-side. Things are going to show up if we keep doing that.”
“It’s scary how good this team can be,” Lopez added.
Lue isn’t ready to rubber-stamp the second unit, although he said they have a “really good chemistry.”
“It feels good to have a lot of different options, combinations … every night could be different, every night is going to be different,” Lue said.
The starting lineup for Friday’s game at Golden State will be different. Leonard and Harden will sit out the preseason finale and starting center Ivica Zubac’s status is uncertain.
CLIPPERS AT WARRIORS
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Chase Center, San Francisco
Radio: 1150 AM