With a great Nicolas Batum, the Clippers received five out of five – BasketUSA

It was an interesting duel that took place last night at Staples Center. The Blazers arrived with a small regain of form, on two consecutive victories, while the Clippers remained on four consecutive victories. At the end of a pleasant and disputed match, the Californian series was the strongest (117-109).

Behind the duo Paul George (24 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists) – Reggie Jackson (23 points, 6 assists), Los Angeles got the better of Blazers still too friable, both offensively and defensively. Against his former club, Nicolas Batum shone with his best game of the season at 22 points to an excellent 6/8 at 3-points.

WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER

– The Clippers are launched. After their very delicate start, with four defeats in their first five games, the Clippers have chained a fifth victory in a row last night, the third already against the Blazers. With West Player of the Week Paul George on the verge of the triple-double, LA has found its rhythm.

– Clippers that don’t spoil anything. Whether thanks to the Blazers’ overly generous defense or their judicious attacking choices, the Clippers finished with a 44/85 on shots, or 52% success, and an excellent 16/30 3-point, or 53% of success ! This is obviously too much for Portland who failed to get the Los Angeles snipers out of their rhythm.

– The Blazers still haven’t won “on the road”. “This responsibility belongs to all of us. We have to do better and learn to snatch these away victories ”. That’s how Norman Powell said after the Blazers’ fifth loss in a row on the road. Often struggling away from home in recent years, this trend is once again confirmed for Lillard, McCollum et Cie.

TOPS / FLOPS

✅ Nicolas batum. And five! It’s been five games in a row (since November in fact) that Nicolas Batum has made a series of good outings, ten points or more. And, last night, he put the package with his best performance of the season at 22 points, an excellent 7/9 on shots including 6/8 on 3-points. Plus 6 rebounds, 1 pass and 1 interception. Very clean.

✅ Reggie Jackson. Quietly, Reggie Jackson has simply returned to the top of his game since his rebirth last year. At 17 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists on average over the season, he has fun again playing his basketball alongside his friend Paul George, and provides a valuable interim in the absence of Kawhi Leonard. It was felt again last night with a performance of 23 points, 6 assists and a good defense against the duo McCollum – Lillard.

✅ Norman Powell. He is the Blazers’ most consistent player at the start of the season. Last night, the champion with Toronto went on a fourth game, out of the last five, over the twenties, at 23 points. Starting off on a very good 3-point basis this season, he confirmed his crazy skill with an excellent 8/13 on shots last night including a no less impressive 5/6 at 3-points.

⛔ CJ McCollum. After his 3/15 against the Lakers in the last game, the back still lacked address last night against the Clippers. With 13 points at 6/15, the starting full-back Rip City did not weigh as much offensively as usual. With 20 points at 9/30 on shots on these last two outings, he is a little tired after his big start to the season.

⛔ Damian lillard. It still won’t fit for Lady! If the Blazers superstar finishes at 27 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds, his percentage behind the arc is still very low with a small 4/13 at 3-points. Above all, he begins to rail against arbitration, a sign of his growing frustration.

THE FOLLOWING

LA Clippers (6-4) : Miami reception, Thursday night to Friday (4:30 am).

Portland (5-6) : “Back-to-back” in Phoenix, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (3:00 am).