Clippers grind out win against Pelicans to start homestand

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- On a night that started with an Ivica Zubac Defensive Player of the Year campaign, the Clippers handled the Pelicans with a 114-98 victory on Wednesday night at Intuit Dome. 

The Clippers returned back home after a 3-1 road trip to start a five game homestand. With the standings in the Western Conference wide open, games such as the one on Wednesday are crucial.

Behind Kawhi Leonard's 28 points on 11-for-18 shooting including 3-for-5 from three, the Clippers steadily took care of a feisty Pelicans squad. 

For whatever reason over the years, it hasn't mattered which players wear the New Orleans jersey, they come out with a different attitude and hunger when they play the Clippers. 

For a good portion of the game, the Pelicans just hung around within 13 points, but without most of their major rotation players, it was going to be an uphill battle. 

On the Clipper side, Zubac had another double-double at 17 points and 10 rebounds. His running mate James Harden also finished with a double-double of his own, scoring 21 points and adding 10 assists on an efficient 7-for-14 shooting. 

While no stats immediately pop out on the box score, a win is a win, and players like Kris Dunn with his 11 point and 7 rebound game, and Bogdan Bogdanovic with his 16 points, are imperative to get past struggling teams late in the season. 

The Clippers are now the 7th seed in the West and while there is much sorting out left to do, the Clippers have one of the lowest strengths of schedule remaining, with 4 more games at home in this stretch.

Now, the Clippers take on the Mavericks twice, with the first being on Friday at Intuit Dome. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM PST.