Clippers renew Lakers rivalry knowing ‘sky’s the limit’

The Clippers finally won a game in New Orleans, something they had not done since 2018. This season, they also have won at Denver and Utah, two other cities where they have failed for years to leave town with a victory.

They are locked in on defense, holding teams to 40.7% shooting from the field – fifth best in the league.

They are winning games in bunches, extending their current win streak to five after beating the Pelicans 111-95 on Friday.

They are in sync as teammates, having developed a working chemistry since James Harden joined the mix two months ago.

They are winners of 17 of their past 19 games.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are healthy and have played in 30 and 32 games, respectively, this season turning a millstone into a milestone. Injuries have derailed the dream duo since they arrived four seasons ago.

Taken together, TNT analyst Charles Barkley called the Clippers “the scariest team in the West.” It’s a label the Clippers (22-12) will carry into Sunday’s game against the Lakers (17-19), a team struggling to find its footing.

The Lakers beat the Clippers for the first time in 11 tries, a 130-125 overtime victory on Nov. 1, the day after the Clippers acquired Harden. The way the Clippers are playing, repeating that feat might be a big ask for the Lakers, who have lost four in a row.

Barkley’s comments hinged on Leonard’s recent play. The Clippers guard is averaging 24.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals in a career-high 35.4 minutes per game.

“Kawhi is amazing,” Barkley said. “If he’s healthy, he’s one of the five best basketball players in the world. Going back to last year … if he didn’t get hurt, they would’ve beat the Suns. If you go back and look, he’s playing as well as anybody in basketball right now.”

George isn’t playing badly, either. The All-Star forward is averaging 23.2 points in 34.5 minutes a game.

But it’s not just their offense that is getting them past teams. Defensively, the Clippers are shutting down teams, especially in the fourth quarter, which has been a problem in the past.

“Defense. I mean, our effort defensively should be our DNA,” said Russell Westbrook after beating the Pelicans. “We got enough men around here that can put a ball in the basket, that should not be our problem. Defensively, we lock in. Just making sure our energy and our mind is locked on that end. Sky’s the limit for us.”

Westbrook continues to provide needed energy off the bench. While his shooting can be shaky at times, his defensive play has impacted many outcomes. He is averaging 6.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Against the Pelicans on Friday, had five rebounds, five assists, two blocked shots and five steals in 22 minutes.

“I can change games with that each and every night. That is what I did tonight,” Westbrook said after the game.

It is a change that has required the team – from Leonard and George to Mason Plumlee – to sacrifice either shots, minutes or rotation spots.

“We just got it figured out. A lot of sacrifice,” Lue said after Friday’s game. “I think Kawhi might have had four points in the first half and didn’t change his facial expression. PG had it going. James had it going with the pick and roll. That’s what we talk about.

“Because we got some dynamic players that all are really great in their own right. So, that’s who we got to be, and it’s got to be about sacrifice and the sacrifice has helped us be a confident team.”

Clippers at Lakers

When: 6:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Crypto.com Arena

TV/Radio: Spectrum SportsNet, Bally Sports SoCal/710 AM, 570 AM