Whether it was their crosstown opponent, an impassioned locker room speech, or the notion of falling deeper into the Western Conference cellar, something shook the Clippers out of their malaise 11 days ago.
Sometime between tipoff and the conclusion of a 103-88 victory over the Lakers on Dec. 20, the Clippers changed their attitude and the trajectory of their season. That victory was the beginning of a five-game winning streak and a lot more.
Not only are the Clippers (11-21) winning, but they are also making 3-point shots at a high level and playing defense with the type of resolve that made them one of the best in the league last season.
They went from being a top-rive rated defense last season to the bottom five this season, but they have started to course correct and currently sit at No. 23.
“I think just the urgency in the group, understanding that we do have a good group in the locker room that could win games,” guard Kris Dunn said. “I think we just got together and it started with the Lakers game. We’re just going out there now with urgency.”
Dunn said the players decided that they wanted to “do something special.”
“Everybody just had that juice that day and everybody went out there and we like to call it a ‘hit.’ We had been in a rut for awhile and I think everybody just collectively was like, you know what, the only way we are getting out of this is if we do our jobs,” Dunn said.
“Everybody went out there and just played their hearts out.”
The Clippers’ modest success started with a focus on defense. Over their past three games, they have allowed a league-low 93.7 points per game and 97.6 points during the winning streak by being more aggressive and generating turnovers, and that starts with Dunn.
The Clippers forced the Sacramento Kings into 18 turnovers in a dominant 131-90 victory on Tuesday night.
“KD is a ringleader when it comes to that defensive end of setting the tone early defensively,” Coach Tyronn Lue said, “and he did a good job tonight as well.”
Dunn prides himself on his quick defensive skills, but he said he is just one of several good defenders on the roster.
“I don’t like to toot my own horn – that’s not my thing – but I’m very appreciative of (Lue) believing in me and allowing me to go out there and do what I do,” Dunn said.
Behind the crafty play of Dunn, the Clippers have started locking down opponents. And with a healthy Derrick Jones Jr., they will be more of a threat. Jones returned to the lineup against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday after missing 17 games because of a torn MCL.
“He is just getting more and more comfortable,” Lue said. “I think him being able to trust (his game) and not have to think about it. I think tonight was one of those games. … What him and KD are able to do defensively for us is huge.
“DJ and KD, those two guys defensively, they really changed the game for us.”
Both will be on the court when the Clippers try to extend their streak against the Utah Jazz (12-20) on Thursday night, and Jones is looking forward to creating more havoc.
“Everybody’s energy is up there. Everybody is out there flying around, just making up for everybody’s mistakes. I mean, if somebody makes a mistake, we always got somebody out there making up for us,” Jones said. “It’s just everybody giving their full effort. That’s what matters.”
JAZZ AT CLIPPERS
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Intuit Dome
TV/Radio: FDSN SoCal/570 AM, 1330 AM