The LA Clippers have been quietly accumulating wins this season, all the while injuries and 'load management' have been hindering their ability to see their preffered lineup on the floor.
Against the Denver Nuggets, the Clippers were at full strength, flexing their muscles en route to a dominant 132-103 win.
LA coach, Doc Rivers has been forced to use 29 different starting groups so far this season, though, finally it seems they have been able to settle on the five they hope to use in the postseason.
Got 'em. 🌪@kawhileonard spin + score pic.twitter.com/kuIaS70tNq
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 29, 2020
Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Patrick Beverley, Marcus Morris Sr. and Ivica Zubac started their third straight game together against the Nuggets, with the group now 3-0 with an average winning margin of 22 points.
On this night, Rivers was able to sit that group early as a 19-point lead through three quarters effectively ended the contest.
George led the Clippers in scoring with 24 points in 25 minutes, while Leonard chipped in with 19 points while also seeing just 25 minutes of court time.
With both all-stars in the lineup the Clippers are now 20-7 with a point differential of +8.7, while they are 20-12 when one or neither of the star duo are suited up.
PG punches it home at Staples Center!@nuggets 70@LAClippers 86
— NBA (@NBA) February 29, 2020
📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/Q5hizufLQn
Boasting one of the strongest second units in the league, the Clippers tallied 73 points off the bench with the usual suspects in Montrezl Harrell (18 points) and Lou Williams (17 points) doing their usual damage.
While the Clippers form has at times felt like a roller coaster ride, this win brought them into a tie for the No. 2 seed in the west with a 40-19 record, as both the Nuggets and LA sit six games behind the Lakers for top spot in the conference.
The Toronto Raptors set the blueprint for managing Leonard through a regular season on their way to a historic NBA Championship last June and maybe, just maybe, the Clippers are beginning to reap the rewards of following a similar path with their two-time Finals MVP forward.
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