INGLEWOOD, Clid. -- “Continue to keep building, continue to keep getting better, we can't stop now.” Los Angeles head coach Tyronn Lue following a 126-118 victory over the New York Knicks Monday night in Inglewood, California. This outcome put the Clippers .500 for the first time since early November.
By the end of the first quarter the Clippers were up 28-24 on the Knicks, with their largest lead in the first at one point being nine points. In the second quarter the Knicks did have a burst of newness as they gained a one point lead, but it did not last long. As the second half was a tough battle that was consistently dominated by L.A.
At the end of regulation, Kawhi Leonard was asked how they not only established their lead, but held onto it. He said, “getting out in transition, our defense got us going tonight. And after that it was making three’s … every time we needed a big shot my teammates knocked it down.”
During the entirety of this east coast v. west coast match up, the Clips oozed a sense of togetherness. They looked like a team that had figured it out. As well as the frustration being clear on the faces of the players wearing blue, orange and white by the end of the night.
Three Clippers difference makers combined for 80 points, with Kawhi Leonard's 29 points, Darius Garland’s 23 points and Benedict Mathurin’s 28 points. Leonard added seven rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Garland hit an impressive five made 3-pointers that had fans in Intuit Arena on their feet, along with seven assists and two steals. Mathurin was consistently getting the ball back in his team's possession with his seven rebounds.
“Just going out here and wanting to learn, and just taking advantage of my opportunity and not getting frustrated. You know basketball is not perfect, it's different every basketball game, so I just go out there and try to learn every night.” L.A.’s leading scorer Leonard laid out his takeaways from this win.
It's not clear if the Knicks stood a chance considering the Clippers fan wall was waiving large cut outs of what seemed to be rats and cheese, in hopes to taunt the away team that arrived from the concrete jungle. They also seemed to be louder than ever, competing with the large showing of Knicks fans in the building.
For the Clips, this is now their fifth win out of their last six games, and their record now reads 32-32. “It was good to see us shoot 39 three’s,” Lue expressed his satisfaction with his team's action behind the arc. This mention from the head coach wasn't surprising, as at a point the 3 balls were falling for the clippers as if it was target practice. As a team they shot 46% from three, as they made 18/39 by the end of regulation.
Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. who is in his ninth season in the NBA, has been a consistent force both on the offensive and defensive end. In this win over the Knicks Jones Jr. had 16 points, went 4/7 from three, tallied seven rebounds, had three steals and two blocks. His effort on the court was recognized by Lue, “DJ took the responsibility tonight with Brunson, I think he did a good job.”
