Three observations from the Clippers

8 Before tipoff, Tyronn Lue said that without the contributions of Reggie Jackson and Nicolas Batum, the Clippers “could be in the play-in game.” Both have been immensely trustworthy, and that continued against the Hornets. Jackson scored 19 off the bench while Batum, in the third quarter alone, hit a pair of three-pointers and blocked a layup attempt by Cody Zeller from behind.

8 In a sign that DeMarcus Cousins’ role could be diminished soon, Lue has played his backup center in the first half of the last two games but not the second. He played five minutes against Charlotte, with two points, two steals and two rebounds. 8 The regular season’s final games are being treated as a final chance to test which bench players fit best together, Lue said, though he kept his rotation tight again – essentially eight players. Luke Kennard and Terance Mann didn’t play until the Clippers’ lead grew to 20 in the final four minutes.