The reason I think the Clippers can beat any team in the west is because we have the best defensive center in the conference + Kawhi. Zu was a monster today. 17/13 and just positions himself so well to deny shot opportunities to top scorers. Lue appeared to stagger Kawhi and Zu and that was a good move. It’s high time that Zu is recognized as the 2nd or 3rd best player on the team.

Kawhi was so solid throughout the game and he has really gelled with Gordon and Bones.

T-Mann played with great energy but only got 19 minutes. That remains an issue for me.

Powell played 35 min, and despite being the game’s leading scorer, I thought it was about 5-7 minutes too long. He got to the line tonight which allowed the team to maintain a decent points per possession with him on the court, but his defense isn’t good, can’t play the point like Bones/Gordon, and doesn’t have the deep 3 that Bones and Gordon have. There were more than a few possessions when Norm called his own number and Kawhi didn’t touch the ball. I think the close to that Q4 would’ve been smoother with T-Mann or Gordon in place of Powell on the court.

Bones put the game away for the Clippers in Q4. In addition to the deep 3 ball, his play at the point guard was excellent. He is consistently getting high percentage shots for his teammates.

This win puts the Clippers on the doorstep of the top 6. If they take care of business vs Portland on Saturday, they’ll be 43-38 with 1 game to play vs Phx, who may rest a number of players given that they have locked in the #4 spot. A win vs Portland keeps the Lakers from overtaking them. The Pelicans still remain a problem, as if they win out vs NYK and Minnesota, they’ll be 43-39, which would mean that the Clips would have to win out to stay ahead of them. Similar issue with respect to the Warriors. Basically, a loss by the Pels to the Knicks on Friday would really help the cause.