Clippers fight fatigue in fourth consecutive win

INGLEWOOD, Cali. -- It was not an easy Saturday night for the Clippers, as they managed to fight through lethargic legs and sloppy play to notch the victory over the Toronto Raptors, 105-103. 

Once again, the Clippers led by double digits, making it 10 straight games to start the season with that mark. 

Norm Powell made it 9 straight games with 20 points or more, going 7-14 from the field and 3-6 from 3 point range. James Harden also matched Powell’s 24 points with 24 of his own, to go along with 12 rebounds and 7 assists. 

Harden has been shooting a career low in terms of efficiency, but is always commanding and controlling the floor on the offensive end with his pass ability. 

The season has been rough to start for the Clippers’ secondary playmaker in Kevin Porter Jr., but he has been hot over the past two games. 

On Saturday night, he scored 15 points on 56% field goals to go along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists including some great defense in the 4th quarter. 

The defense has been a huge talking point of this squad and for good reason, as the Clippers are now 4th in defensive rating as well as 2nd in opponents PPG allowed. That defense was on full display down the stretch, as Terance Mann made a huge impact on that side of the floor down the stretch.

While Mann’s offense has gotten off to a slow start along with the players mentioned before, his defense in the second half on Saturday night was pivotal in closing the game out. 

Mann got two stops in the paint against Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett on back to back possessions to prevent the Raptors from tying or going ahead with under 2 minutes to play. 

The constant pressure and energy on the defensive side of the ball is one of the main reasons the Clippers are sitting at 6-4 and winners of their last four. 

Sure, offense wins games in the modern NBA, but defense is still as prevalent as ever, and this Jeff Van Gundy-led squad is digging in, even without their best player in Kawhi Leonard.

While the Clippers would rather not be in clutch minutes every game, especially when they rank 18th in net rating in those minutes, they are finding ways to win by grinding out games.

Now, a three game road trip lies ahead against some tough Western Conference opponents in Oklahoma City and Houston. 

But the fact that the Clippers are 6-4 through their first 10 games with the gauntlet of a schedule that the team faced to open the season, it is a huge win. 

The Clippers now head to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder on Monday night. Tipoff is set for 5:00 PM PST.