Clippers shoot their way past pesky Pelicans
LOS ANGELES » The Staples Center stage was set up for a clash of styles and, on Wednesday night, a stark difference of fortunes.
Fully staffed, the Clippers avoided the trappings of life against an undermanned underdog, getting past a pesky New Orleans Pelicans team that was down three starters, including superstar sophomore Zion Williamson.
“When you have a lot of talent sometimes, you can fall victim to that, but we just got to make sure we’re just taking advantage of every day, every game, every practice and trying to get better,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said before his team’s 111-106 victory.
“Our main focus,” Lue insisted, “is us getting better each night, not about the opponent.”
Even so, Wednesday’s opponent — despite being shorthanded, and even in defeat — played its part admirably. Stan Van Gundy’s squad dominated the boards, 48-36 — fully in character for the team that showed up Wednesday with a league-best rebounding percentage of 54.1 percent.
The Pelicans also did their requisite damage in the paint, outscoring their hosts down low, 52-20.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 37 points on 15-for-23 shooting.
But those advantages weren’t enough against the NBA’s top 3-point shooting team (L.A. came in shooting 42.4 percent from deep), which continued to drive, kick and connect from distance, going 18 for 37.
While the Pelicans (4-6) shot 10 for 28 from deep, half of the Clippers’ shots originated from behind the arc, and six Clippers connected
CLIPPERS 111, PELICANS 106
Up next: Lakers at Kings, Friday, 7 p.m., Prime
THE SCORE
on multiple 3s. George was responsible for five of them — the ninth time this season he’s hit four or more in a game and the seventh time he made at least five.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 28 points, and George weaved his way through New Orleans’ defense for a typically pretty assortment of baskets and scored 27 on shot-making that included a fourth-quarter layup, flipped off the top of the backboard, as well as a 3-pointer as time expired in the first half.
That first-half-finishing trey punctuated a 21-4 run that built an 18-point lead.