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Clippers vs. Grizzlies Recap: Clippers end 2023 on high note
The LA Clippers grabbed a 117-106 win against the Memphis Grizzlies for their last game of the year.
Summary
In seasons past, when either of Kawhi Leonard or Paul George, or both, were out of the lineup due to injury, the Clippers would struggle. That had to have to be one of the reasons why the team went and got Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
The moves may have been controversial at the time, but games like Friday night proved exactly why those moves were made. Clippers fans have been on edge all week with the latest in the Leonard injury saga, but Westbrook and Harden showed why this group is much better suited to withstand an injury to one of the team’s main stars.
With Paul George struggling to get going in the first half, the tandem of Westbrook and Harden stepped up and were aggressive offensively helping the Clippers take early control of the game.
While the Grizzlies continued to hang tough and keep within striking distance, the Clippers maintained a slim lead going into the half.
Once the third quarter began, George finally found his shooting touch. His surge, including a double-clutch three-point shot to end the quarter, helped power the Clippers to a 20 point lead heading into the final period. Following the game, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue felt relieved that George was ultimately able to get into a rhythm.
“I don’t know, I’m just glad he got there,” Lue chuckled. “I really don’t remember but I’m just glad he got there.”
While the Grizzlies tried to get back into the game using a few little runs in the fourth quarter, the Clippers did just enough to hold them off and end the year on a high note. With the win, the Clippers ended December with a record of 11-2.
It’s been a major turnaround for a team that struggled through a slump in November immediately following the Harden trade. The win, combined with other results from around the league, propelled the Clippers into fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
This stretch is something that Lue had always envisioned once roles and rotations got settled.
“I give credit to our coaching staff and our players, just working through all the adversity when we lost six games in a row and just trying to figure it out. Everybody’s been putting in the work and just trying to get better each night,” Lue said. “I give those guys a lot of credit. Once we figured out our rotations, figured out how we wanted to play, and then just having to win games different ways. . .we got a long ways to go, we got to continue to keep building but we’re doing some good things and I just like our just like our attitude and where we’re at right now.”
Notes
-Kobe Brown has quietly been having a solid rookie season. After the Harden trade, PJ Tucker was the backup four but often struggled when he was on the court. That made Lue change up his rotation and essentially through Brown to the fire. He wasn’t supposed to be playing such a key role right away but he’s responded. He comes into the game, he brings energy, he hits the glass and he can knock down the three-ball off the catch. He finished with seven points and four rebounds against the Grizzlies. He is definitely an NBA rotation player and getting crucial minutes this early will only pay off in the long run.
Clippers vs. Grizzlies Recap: Clippers end 2023 on high note
David Yapkowitz