Clippers find their stars and win in Chicago

After a loss in Cleveland with bis team breaking a streak of five consecutive victories, the Clippers continued their progress tonight in Chicago (108-103).

Kawhi Leonard (33 points, 5 assists, 5 steals) and Norman Powell (27 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists) balanced a California offense that struggled to get going (just 3/12 on 3-for-3 shooting, 8/ 22) in the first quarter), but won against the Bulls, who were off to a poor start to a four-game home streak.

Still, Chicago showed good intent from the start, with the Bulls going 18-7 to start. Later, Patrick Williams had a masterful dunk in the 3rd quarter with his team still in control.

But Los Angeles would take control of operations at home under clutch 3-pointer Kawhi Leonard, and the Bulls had more on their final possession. Just like it’s good to rest your stars…

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– A Clippers straggler game. The Bulls, who were taken by the throat from the start, regrouped on the block, the Clippers started the game in the hole with an initial 18-7. Only slowly did the Californian troupe get to work before winning at the finish. And it all started with a 16-2 run on the shoulders of Norman Powell (15 points in the period) in the last minutes of the first half, while LA counted up to 19 pay points!

– An exciting ending to the game. Only in the last quarter the Clippers took the lead on the scoreboard and again! Still being chased by the Bulls, we had to fight to the last second to get away from the Bulls after a tense and topsy-turvy finish. The two former Spurs (back-to-back), DeRozan 2-pointer, then Leonard 3-pointer, Caruso answered for a tat first before going for a layup after LaVine’s block. But the Clippers, who still had a one-point lead, managed to stand unscathed at the line of scrimmage, with 10 seconds left, Powell, then Leonard after an interception on the Bulls’ final possession.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Kawhi Leonard. Leaving to rest in Ohio, he immediately resumed his good habits in Chicago. The former top defender in the league unleashed his claw (“The Klaw”) with at least 5 steals to accompany his 33 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. He was decisive, as he often is, with 12 points in the final quarter (of his team’s 23 points).

✅ Norman Powell. Kawhi Leonard’s former Toronto teammate had a great game last night to accompany his superstar. Unstoppable with 15 in the second quarter, he finished with 27 points on 7/11 shooting, which was enough to revive him after four games of pretty average, if not mediocre, skill.

✅ Nikola Vucevic. The Bulls center still lit up the stat sheet with 23 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and even 2 steals, but despite his offensive efficiency (10/15 overall and 3/6 from long range), he couldn’t tip the scales in his favor. his people.

✅⛔️ Zach LaVine. He almost had a triple-double (with 8 assists) for the first time this season with 18 points and 14 rebounds, but like his team, he lacked the energy to finish the game.

NEXT

Chicago (23-27): Charlotte’s reception on Thursday.

LA Clippers (29-25): A continuation of the “road trip” with a stage in Milwaukee on Thursday.