Clippers can't play small-ball
INGLEWOOD, CALIF— The Clippers fell short against the Trail Blazers 114-104. Los Angeles' small-ball lineup was over matched by Portland’s size. Portland took advantage of their bigger size and controlled the paint against Los Angeles.
The Clippers were dominated on the glass and were out rebounded 48-30. Donnovan Clingan, Deni Avdija, Toumain Camara and Robert Williams all recorded seven or more rebounds. All four of these players are 6’7 or taller.
The bigger players on Portland’s side racked up 32 rebounds, which was more than the entire Clippers team. Struggles on offense Rebounding is not the only issue that the small-ball lineup currently faces. The offense has a major hole with no interior.
"We're not good enough with the small lineup right now. I told the players I [would] take accountability for that because we haven't had the chance to practice, said Coach Lue. “We haven't played small all year.
We don’t know how to play offensively with the smaller unit yet. ” Offensively, the Clippers have to be more reliant on perimeter play since they do not have a threat in the paint. The Trail Blazers exposed the flaws in relying on only the back court.