The Los Angeles Clippers have begun flying the 2020-21 season. After an overnight victory over defending champions Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers appeared in Denver on Christmas Day and got a little revenge against the Nuggets in the form of a 121-108 victory.
Paul George made his way with 23 points, five rebounds and nine assists, while poet Leonard – who left in the fourth quarter after inadvertently elbowing Serge Ibaka in the face – scored 21 points, five rebounds, seven assists and four steals. As a team, the Clippers were terrific at the offensive end, shooting 55.4 percent off the field, knocking down 19 3-pointers and assisting 32 of their 41 field goals.
The Nuggets scored a few runs in the fourth quarter, and for a moment it looked like they might be on the verge of another big comeback against the Clippers. But because of their complete inability to get a stop, they never really managed to reach a single digit. After reaching the Western Conference finals last season, the Nuggets are now 0-2 to start the campaign.
Here are three main tips from the end of Christmas:
1. Clippers make a statement
The Clippers ended up in an embarrassing fashion last season, giving the Nuggets a 3-1 lead in the second round of the playoffs despite a double-end lead in all three matches in the final. If the first two games of the new season are any indication, they experienced the agony of that defeat and the full ason fission of jokes at their expense.
On the opening night, they took care of the defending champion Lakers without much trouble, and on Christmas day, they took their revenge against the Nuggets in an equally painless fashion. Two marquee opponents, two big wins. It was hard for the Clippers to get off to a better start.
Obviously, this is a long, long way to go this season, but these first two games by the Clippers made a clear statement that they are thinking about different things this year. With new coaches, more consistency and plenty of inspiration between their stars, the Clippers have all the ingredients to make a championship run.
2. Abusive clinic
Going forward Leonard and George, the Clippers are one of the most explosive offenders in the league. Last season, the only team with a better offensive rating than him was the Dallas Mavericks, who set a literal record for the most efficient offense in league history. It doesn’t look like things will be any different this season.
The Clippers put up an aggressive clinic on Christmas Day, as they did whatever they wanted against the Nuggets team, admitting it didn’t offer much resistance. Los Angeles fielded 195.4 percent from the field, 50 percent from 3-point land and 83.3 percent from the line, conceding 19 3-pointers and aided 32 in their 41 baskets.
It was very easy for them to pick up the nuggets, especially with the extra playmaking provided by Nick Buttam and Luke Canard. None of that was a very exciting se fisson no acquisition – Ibaka also attracted more attention – but they will really help this clippers team. Having more wings that can make for others is a big addition to the traditional point guard shortage roster.
K. The poet goes down but feels fine
At the end of the fourth quarter, Leonard was hit by a cruel and inadvertent elbow from Ibaka as they turned again. Leonard fell to the ground from the other end of the game floor, and at the next whistle the camera fell asleep, spilling blood from his mouth.
After being seen by the medical staff, he was able to get out of the court under his own power, but apparently it was done for the game. The team later announced that Leonard needed eight stitches to close the wound in his mouth, and Clippers coach Ty Lu told reporters after the game that his star would “recover.”
That’s great news for Leonard and the Clippers, as at first glance it seemed like he was in serious trouble. The slow motion scene of Ibaka’s elbow colliding with Leonard’s face, felt like a UFC highlight, and there was a bloody amount of blood. Next Sunday afternoon for the Clippers is the Dallas Mavericks. It is not yet clear whether Leonard will be available for that game.
