Clippers starting to find chemistry as they prepare for Pelicans

On a three-game winning streak and looking more like a team that the front office envisioned when bringing together four stars, the Los Angeles Clippers return home in the hopes of showing off a little more of their potential.

The Clippers faced questions when they paired James Harden with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook then lost five consecutive games to extend their losing streak to six games overall.

But tinkering from head coach Tyronn Lue, a promise from the team that it will find some chemistry and a visit to San Antonio for two games this week has helped to get the plan in motion.

After Los Angeles ended the losing streak with a victory over the Houston Rockets at home on Nov. 17, they went into San Antonio and pulled off a two-game sweep that included Wednesday’s 109-102 victory.

Leonard scored 26 points against his former team, but it was the chorus of boos toward one of the NBA’s top players that resonated. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich implored fans to “have a little class,” in an address over the arena sound system, but the booing only intensified.

Leonard’s postgame response suggested that the Clippers have bigger concerns and have learned to tune out anybody questioning their path forward.

“At the time, I was just in the moment, trying to knock down my free throws,” Leonard said.

More focus will be needed in the coming days. After the Pelicans visit Los Angeles, the Clippers will face the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings before consecutive games against the Golden State Warriors.

While getting Harden comfortable with the game plan has been the top priority of late, in the big picture, it is all about having Leonard and George in sync.

“When those two guys are healthy, we’re a different team,” Lue said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I know we hit a rough patch after the trade, just trying to get guys acclimated. … (We are) just seeing who we can be and how we can play once those guys are healthy. And now they’re healthy.”

The Pelicans are coming off consecutive home victories over the Kings. New Orleans’ run of four victories in the past five games includes beating the defending champion Denver Nuggets 115-110 on Nov. 17.

In the Pelicans’ 117-112 victory over the Kings on Wednesday, Zion Williamson scored 25 points and Brandon Ingram added 23. Similar to the Clippers, who are starting to come together, the Pelicans’ dynamic duo is finding its stride.

“We’re taking steps forward every single day, just getting better,” Ingram said after New Orleans went 4-2 on an extended homestand. “We’re going back and watching film and see what we can do better. We’ve got to take it on the road and get some more wins.”

As important as the Williamson-Ingram duo is to the Pelicans, the team had solid production from its bench Wednesday as Jordan Hawkins, Naji Marshall and Jose Alvarado each reached double digits in points.

“Those guys were awesome coming off the bench, giving us a huge lift,” Pelicans head coach Willie Green said. “Their energy, getting deflections, getting steals, rebounding the ball; that’s what we’re going to need night-in night-out.”

The Pelicans’ CJ McCollum (chest) returned to practice this week, but there isn’t a clear timetable for his return.

–Field Level Media

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