NBA – After setting the Wizards on fire this weekend with 44 points, the walking firecracker of the Nets continued, but it was insufficient to bring down the Clippers, long jostled but more pragmatic in “money-time” (124-116) .
Under the impetus of a Cam Thomas still in human torch mode after coming out on 44 points against the Wizards this weekend (47 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists), and more generally thanks to a very effective attack for a good part of the match, Jacque Vaughn’s men have indeed caused problems for the Los Angeles squad.
It is clearly stated ” for much of the game “, because the “money-time” was fatal to the locals. Leading by 8 points (107-99) with just over five minutes remaining, the Nets then failed to hold on and were caught up in their inaccuracies and lack of accuracy in their offensive executions, and by association by the absence of a true finisher like… Kyrie Irving.
While the Clippers, without being particularly convincing, secured this success by being able to count on a Kawhi Leonard decisive, author of 7 points in the last five minutes.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Back-to-back 40 points from Cam Thomas, who needs Kyrie Irving? We are obviously joking, but we must recognize that this recent offensive explosion of the young rear of Brooklyn, who has become the youngest player, since LeBron James, to sign two games in a row at 40 points or more, is pleasant to observe. Especially since the departure of Kyrie Irving will free up playing time, and he could (should?) continue to be the main beneficiary. Free in attack for the moment, like his 29 shots taken last night, he will certainly fall into line when Kevin Durant returns, but will remain a valuable soldier in attack for the Nets.
– Get threes, or die tryin’. We offer ourselves a reference to the iconic album of 50 Cent to highlight the veritable barrage of outside shots that the Nets, unfortunately in vain, shot down on the Clippers: 16/31! The “everything for the award-winning shot” is an unstable formula because ultimately random, but terribly effective when it works. That night, it worked, but it didn’t pay off, for the Nets, especially because they were outplayed in the paint (52 points conceded).
– In the end, the Nets paid cash for their ball losses. Indeed, the Nets lost 16 balls (including 3 in the last three minutes!), which cost them 25 points. In comparison, the Clippers lost only 7 balls, for only 8 points conceded. The big difference in the encounter was clearly played out here. It is in these moments that Kyrie Irving can already be missed, at the Barclays Center…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Paul George et Kawhi Leonard. A normal day at the office for the two Clippers stars, who compiled 53 points to fend off those valiant Nets. The first was the metronome of the attack during the first three quarters, before the second, more discreet, took over in the last act, with a big increase in power during the last five minutes.
✅ Terance Mann. In the shadow of the two wingers mentioned above, the default point guard of the Clippers did not distribute any pass, leaving the playmaking to the pair of All-Stars, but he brought his versatility elsewhere, with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.
✅ The collective effort of the five major Nets. Sure, Cam Thomas took all the light, but the other starters weren’t left out either. Including Nic Claxton and his huge double-double (15 points, 16 rebounds and 3 blocks), or Royce O’Neale and his always reliable outside address (5/7). We also saw very good Edmond Sumner, holder on the “backcourt” while waiting for Spencer Dinwiddie, and brilliant with his “all-around” profile (23 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists).
⛔️ Marcus Morris. Sent off in the first half after (probably) using words that did not please the referees, after the latter whistled a foul against him, the strong winger delivered an anecdotal passage on the boards of Barclays Center (2 points in 17 minutes).
THE FOLLOWING
– Nets (32-21) : “back-to-back” at home against the Suns (01:30).
– Clippers (31-26) : reception of the Mavericks, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (04:00).
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