Defense is helping Clippers win games

When the season started the Los Angeles Clippers made it clear to that they wanted to be one of the best defensive teams in the league.

Even though they are without their superstar Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers are one of top 5 defenses in the NBA. It's a testament to their identity and hard work.

Head coach Ty Lue shared with the Culver City Observer that when Derrick Jones Jr and Kris Dunn first came to the team they made it known their goal was to make the All-Defensive team.

Lue jokingly said, "Instead of winning the scoring title, they wanted to be on the All-Defensive team. When you have guys that come in with that kind of mindset, you can see it, you can feel it on the floor. It brings all of our guys together defensively because you see how the guys are competing, so it brings everyone else along as well."

No matter if the Clippers are making shots or not, Lue says his guys pay attention to detail and programmed themselves to defend, even if they are getting shots on the offensive end. He states that their defense has carried them all year, and they strive to continue that mentality until their main star comes back. This James Harden-led group is arguably the hardest-working team in the NBA, and they have the third-hardest schedule in the league.

When the Clippers faced the Wizards recently, they were able to record 18 steals. For the first time since November 2023, a team did that, and only the ninth team since the 2019-2020 season.

The Clippers are all playing together, everyone knows their role and Harden is playing the point guard position. Against the Wizards he scored 43 points, had four rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. It was Harden's first 40th-point game since March of 2021. He was able to achieve that in 31 minutes. Harden also had 39 points against the Denver Nuggets last Sunday night in a 126-122 win.

Harden says that despite the elite defenders the Clippers have they still can get a lot better. "Every day is a new challenge for us." Harden said they have been preaching defense the entire year and it helps them with their offense.

Clipper center Ivica Zubac praised Harden's leadership. He states James is one of the best teammates he's ever had. "I think every player in the league would love to play with him. We're lucky to have him."

Right now, the Clippers are in sixth place in the Western Conference, and despite defying the odds. The players understand they need to have better spacing and tighten their transition defense.

The Clippers play the rockets on Sunday at home at 6 p.m. and they start a three game road trip in Dallas on December 19. They return home on December 27 to face the Warriors at 7 p.m. Currently they 13-9.