Clippers shoot lights out from three-point range as they crush Chicago

The LA Clippers picked up a much-needed win, 124-112 over the Chicago Bulls as they keep pace in the Western Conference.

Summary

In the past two games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans, the Clippers starters did not start the game with the requisite energy and intensity. The bench was able to get them back into the game against the Thunder but could not do so against the Pelicans.

Fortunately for the Clippers, they didn’t need the bench to clean up the starters’ mess as they came out of the gates ready to go. Although they trailed the Bulls, 32-27 after the first quarter, the Clippers shot over 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range, setting the tone for what was to come.

In the second quarter, Russell Westbrook anchored a bench unit that rattled off a 10-0 run and put the Clippers in the drivers seat for the rest of the way. Nicolas Batum was a big part of the second quarter surge, with five made three-point shots in the first half.

After halftime, the Clippers surged ahead by double-digits and never looked back. The Clippers ball movement was phenomenal, resulting in a season-high 41 assists. That ball movement led to open threes, with Batum being the beneficiary of a lot of those passes. Batum finished with a game-high 24 points with all of his buckets coming off three-point shots (8-10).

The Clippers had six other players in addition to Batum reach double-figures in scoring, including Bones Hyland who had his third straight productive game off the bench.

The Bulls were on the second end of a back-to-back and it showed in the second half. They ran out of gas and just couldn’t withstand the Clippers three-point barrage. The Clippers finished the game 20-40 from three-point range.

Notes:
– In a bit of a surprising lineup change, albeit one that makes sense, it was revealed that Nicolas Batum will replace Marcus Morris Sr. in the starting lineup for the rest of the regular season and presumably into the playoffs. Morris has struggled with his shot as of late while Batum has been very productive. With no Paul George, the Clippers need consistent three-point shooting around Russell Westbrook and Kawhi Leonard and Batum can provide that.

-Despite the win, the Clippers didn’t make any ground on moving up in the standings as the Phoenix Suns got a win on Monday as well. With the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors breathing down the Clippers necks for fifth, this upcoming road trip is even more magnified. It may sound like a broken record, but every game matters.