Trading for James Harden was the Clippers’ way of admitting that they didn’t believe they were strong enough to contend for a championship. By acquiring four future Hall of Famers, they hoped they could.
Their game on Saturday demonstrated that they can win without relying solely on star power, as Harden and Kawhi Leonard struggled, and the rest of the team stepped up to secure a 107-88 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Clippers replaced their star power with all-around team productivity. Despite Harden and Leonard’s poor shooting performances, the team showcased the abilities of players throughout their roster.
For more information, read ‘Constant communication’ is helping James Harden find his role with Clippers.
Paul George scored 25 points, while Russell Westbrook had 14 points with eight rebounds and seven assists off the bench. This victory wouldn’t have been possible without Terance Mann, Ivica Zubac, and Norman Powell.
Mann scored a season-high of 17 points and made his first four baskets focusing on fast-break points as the Clippers opened the game with an immediate lead.
Powell continued his fantastic statistical start with 15 points off the bench on a perfect shooting night, going 4 for 4, including 3 three-pointers and 4 free throws.
With Leonard and Harden underperforming, the Clippers maintained as much as a 24-point lead, proving that teamwork can prevail over individual struggles.
The Clippers dominated transition points and outscored Dallas in the paint by 16, demonstrating their capability to excel without relying solely on star players like Leonard and Harden.
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This article was originally published in the Los Angeles Times.
