Clippers make it 7 in a row at home, top Kings in NBA Cup play
Today at 01:21 AM
INGLEWOOD — The floor was dark blue and the uniforms bright red. A picture of the in-season tournament trophy dominated center court as Intuit Dome took on a festive feel for the Clippers' first home game in NBA Cup play.
Yet, as far as Clippers coach Tyronn Lue was concerned, the game was just another test of their defense, their ability to hold onto the ball and an opportunity to add to their win total. In other words, just another game.
But it wasn't just another game. Friday's 104-88 victory over the Sacramento Kings was another victory to add to their winning streak and their first in tournament play. And they did it with solid defense, balanced scoring and attention to detail.
James Harden led the team with 22 points on 5-of-18 shooting, to go with six rebounds and nine assists as the Clippers made it seven wins in a row in their new arena. Derrick Jones Jr. had 17 points and Ivica Zubac finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
"We have to play the same way every night whether it's the Cup or whatever we're doing," Lue said before the game. "We just got to be ready to go tonight.
"But playing for the Cup, a chance to go to Vegas to play for the big money, it is always intriguing as well."
The Clippers and Kings both lost their first game in the in-season tournament. All teams play four group play games and another loss would edge either team closer to elimination, making these games worth something extra. The six group winners and a wild card team in each conference (based on records), advance to the quarterfinals.
The semifinals and final will be played next month in Las Vegas.
The Clippers faced the Kings and their two superstars without Norman Powell (left hamstring) and Kawhi Leonard, who continues to rehab his right knee and will not join the team on its four-game East Coast trip.
Not only were the Clippers short-handed, but they also had to contain the Kings' two-pronged offensive threat of guard DeMar DeRozan and De'Aaron Fox.
DeRozan had missed the previous three games because of back soreness, but he was back in the lineup in time for the finale of the four-game homestand.
Fox, who scored 109 points over two days earlier this week, presents challenges on all fronts, Lue said. He is quick, he can get to the free-throw line, get inside for layups, shoot floaters from midrange and now has added a 3-point shot to his repertoire.
"He's a tough player … just his speed is so dynamic," Lue said.
The Clippers' sixth-rated defense neutralized Fox in the early going, limiting him to four first-half points. But he managed to get his game on track in the second half, finishing with 29 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
DeRozan, who came in averaging 22.2 points, had 11 of his 16 in the opening half. He also had six rebounds. Center Domantas Sabonis added 24 points and 15 rebounds but it wasn't enough.
But Fox scored eight points in a 12-5 run to start the second half, causing Lue to call a timeout. The Kings closed to within 58-51 with 6:15 left in the third quarter, but that was the closest they got.
The Clippers' 51-29 halftime lead was the fewest amount of points they have allowed in any half since they gave up 27 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 5, 2021.
Another positive was their turnover total. The Clippers allowed 12 (three in the first half) against the league's sixth-best offense.
The Clippers came in averaging 15.8 turnovers after giving up 25 in their victory against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday and Lue said he focused on their mistakes in a recent film session.
What do they say? Lue was asked.
My bad.
What do you say?
That's a bad pass.
How do they respond?
They say 'facts.'
"They understand it, they see it," Lue said. "We gotta keep showing them, keep talking about it. Our margin of error is so slim we got to take care of the basketball."
More to come on this story.
