Game #8: LAC (3-4) @ MAVS (6-2) FRI 11/10 5:30 PM

[esqtvd]

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[Wammy Giveaway]

Clipper fans on social media are already declaring that Clippers will win vs. Mavs. I would believe that if Clippers were one game away from a 3-game losing streak, but they are already there. You can say that Clippers have been winless ever since they completed the James Hardens trade, with P.J. Tucker's debut vs. Lakers as evidence.

But they've only played two games with Harden. Right there, Clippers can prevent that 3-game losing streak, which we have seen before in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Losing three in a row is akin to being down 3-0 in a playoff series, a deficit in which no team has ever recovered from.

Of course, there is the Mavericks, the team who help started the Clipper's double 2-0 comeback, starring Luka Doncic whose career bests have always been against them (including one game with the largest margin of defeat in franchise history), and have lost two series against overall. Clippers are not gonna let their spunky opponent get in the way and, if they meet in the playoffs, would absolutely relish in the penultimate three-strikes-yer-out clinching victory that could force Doncic out of Dallas. It's an Interim game, however. But it would serve as a beautiful playoff preview.

Regardless, it's a must win. Automatic win. An ultimatum win. Because I think Lue's 10-game rule will be thrown out the window. If they lose to Mavs with Harden on the starting lineup, he will make a massive starting lineup change. He could make Leonard the only starter of Team SoCal if he wanted to.

[NickP]

I'm hoping tonight's the night they turn this around. You can sense it coming. Like I said before, once they figure it out they'll be A OK.

[KL2]

Not feeling it but hopefully I’ll be eating crow by the end of the night.

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Sure.

[nickhx2]

who's fault was the busted coverage on that wide open kyrie 3? feels like someone was supposed to step up given zu dropped back (and how he was flabbergasted nobody did anything lol)

[ejftw]

Let's try this again, first road win!!!

Great start so far

[og15]

Westbrook has come out with the energy, but have to stay controlled, good so far though

[og15]

Harden ready hands and immediately shooting off catch and shoot, wow, this is nice

[esqtvd]

As predicted in many quarters, Russ puts in a good face-saving 4 minutes then is yanked to rest up and come back to lead the second unit.

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Clips up by 10 early.

[og15]

Don't know why Westbrook is forcing these ones, not needed

[KL2]

The lead gone just like that. Yikes.

[clipperlover]

As predicted in many quarters, Russ puts in a good face-saving 4 minutes then is yanked to rest up and come back to lead the second unit.

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Clips up by 10 early.

Then Ty decides to sit anyone with size an run a line up of no one bigger than 6'5". Can't rebound or team defend. If they aren't scoring at will, then the line-up is useless.

[Scoundreldays]

Not bad so far. Definitely see Powell as the expendable one in a trade but much more enjoyable game so far

[ERClips]

Norm coming in & lays an egg. Unfortunately that last unit out there was anemic on offense. Gotta get it back going & some D on Kyrie

[nickhx2]

ugh, westbrook snags a superhuman rebound and pj tucker flubs the catch

[KL2]

This lineup is wretched. Lue waited too long to call a TO.

[og15]

The previous unit was bad, some of it is hot shooting that just happens as that's basketball, sometimes you're on the court during a run by the opposition, but offensively they were off

[KL2]

PG laying another egg and Westbrook chucking. Lovely.

[esqtvd]

Powell and Tucker are both minus-20

in 6 minutes

[KL2]

Get Powell off. Good grief.

It’s a game of runs, I know, but this type is demoralizing and they’re not mentally tough enough to recover I fear.