Offense was the name of the game for the Clippers during the first 3 quarters of the season. But during he last 10 games we saw the potency of their defense especially going to the 4rth quarters where they held their opponents to 24.6 pts. average per game in the last quarter while scoring an average of 25.7 pts per game, a favorable differential of 1.1 pts. per game. Here’s the tally for the last 10 games:
|
Points for |
Points against |
Difference |
|
|
|
|
OKC |
26 |
24 |
2 |
NO |
30 |
32 |
-2 |
HOUSTON |
27 |
20 |
7 |
NO |
29 |
20 |
9 |
PHOENIX |
23 |
23 |
0 |
LAL |
33 |
34 |
-1 |
ATLANTA |
21 |
30 |
-9 |
PHOENIX |
22 |
29 |
-7 |
GS |
27 |
19 |
8 |
UTAH |
19 |
15 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
257 |
246 |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
25.7 |
24.6 |
1.1 |
We were only beaten 4 times in the 4rth quarter and 2 of those against NO and LAL were basically garbage time having insurmountable leads going to the 4rth quarter. We can also notice lapses in our defense against Atlanta and Phoenix but looking at the last two games against GW and Utah you can easily see that the gear has shifted more on the defense going to the last quarter of the game. With the defense emphasized more in those 10 games, we still managed to maintain our offense scoring 113.2 pts average in those 10 games.
We are slowly feeling the brake in our offense while our defense is getting tighter. What I can see is our offense getting more to be a half-court game in preparation for the playoff. GS and Phoenix (bubble) are trying to do the same thing while the Spurs and Memphis who have been doing it for a long time are once again grittier, physical and dangerous than ever. OKC, Houston, Dallas (bubble) and Portland are still favoring their offense over their defense.
I would like to think that the combination of Doc and Gentry would lead to a balance attack where our defense is emphasized but not losing the favored fast paced and excitement of our offense.
See you in the playoff!!
And GO CLIPPERS!!!!