LA Clippers’ Single Push Breaks the Detroit Pistons, 126-112

The Los Angeles Clippers showed how powerful they really are in a win over the Detroit Pistons, 126-112. The hosts were trailing nine points during the second quarter tonight, before shifting into a higher gear and leaving the Pistons in the dirt. All that without involving Kawhi Leonard too much and without Paul George, who had to leave the game.

“Nothing happened,” said Rivers at the press. “He just felt tightness and we just decided not to bring him back.”

PG felt some issues with his hamstring, and there was no need for his overloading in this one, especially when Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell took over the wheel and started pounding the guests from Michigan.

Clippers’ superb duo dropped 45 points off the bench with Harrell having 23, and Lou 22. Once again, they amused the fans while also harassing the rival’s defense. In general, this was a solid night for the hosts.

Trezz (23 PTS) & Lou-Will (22 PTS) take care of business in the Clippers’ home win! 😤#ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/lwSnzxcqU4

— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 3, 2020

But the first two quarters didn’t indicate such an outcome. Detroit was slightly up at the end of the first, 33-30, and extended that lead early inside the second, 43-34. After several minutes of a tough battle, the hosts started playing much better defense, and they managed to stiff the Pistons, to gain a 69-63 lead at the break. After that, it was a piece of cake for the Clippers.

“We’re just inconsistent right now. So many different guys, so many different lineups. We’ll get sharper and sharper as time goes on,” said Lou Williams who had a son recently. Sweet Lou named him Syx.

“If I had a son I was going to give him a unique name. So I said you know what, I’m going to name him Syx and spell it a little different.”

They outscored the guests with 37-16 in the third, reaching a game-high 31 points of advantage in the fourth period. Following this, the home team eased up a little bit, allowing the guests to cut down the deficit to a bearable distance.

Although the Pistons might not be among the top teams in the NBA, LAC’s burst is really impressive.

“I just liked our ball movement today. When we play with more speed on most nights… we’re pretty good,” added Doc Rivers.

One familiar face was seen and welcomed by the Clippers’ fans tonight – Blake Griffin. Although he didn’t play due to his left knee soreness, Blake was in the middle of attention, and the entire crowd warmly welcomed one of their best players in franchise history.
Often during the game, they would chant, “WE WANT BLAKE,” but unfortunately, he couldn’t get in.

The Pistons had nine players with 10 or more points, but the team-high was only 15, set by Bruce Brown. Four players had 14 points each, Tony Snell, Svy Mykhailiuk, Christian Wood, and Derrick Rose. The guests would shoot 7-of-33 behind the arc.

As for the hosts, besides Williams and Harrell, Kawhi scored 18 points, while Mo Harkless, Jamychal Green and Paul George all had 12.

Doc Rivers boys have three more games at home before going to Denver to meet the Nuggets on Sunday. The first is against the Grizzlies who lost in Sacramento tonight. That match is scheduled for tomorrow. After that, the Clippers(25-11) await the Knicks and the Warriors, two of the pretty much worst teams in the league.

Meanwhile, the Pistons (12-23) are in the middle of their six-game road trip and have three more contests away from home. They are going to San Francisco to face the Warriors, then come back to Los Angeles to meet the Lakers and eventually finishing their journey in Cleveland.