On February 1, the NBA court ushered in a high-profile matchup: the battle between the Clippers and the Wizards. However, the game looked a bit unusual due to the absence of two key players. Despite this, the Clippers still showed a strong team strength by easily defeating the Wizards 125-109 with the excellent performance of small cards and Harden.
In this game, the Clippers' star Xiaoka played well, he shot 14 of 25 from the field, and efficiently cut down 31 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. What's even more rare is that Xiaoka did not make a single mistake in the game, showing a very high competitive state and concentration. At the same time, Harden also contributed 25 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks and 2 steals to the Clippers.
However, the start of the race did not go well. The Clippers' key player George was sidelined with groin pain, and the Wizards' Poole also temporarily retired from the game. In the first half of the game, the two sides launched a fierce attack, and the score was tight. The Clippers led by six points at the end of the first half.
The turning point of the game came in the third quarter. The Clippers suddenly came out of the air in the quarter and put up an amazing offensive run. Harden scored on a layup after a steal in the quarter, and the Clippers extended their lead to 21 points. Throughout the third quarter, the Clippers went on a 40-19 run in a single quarter, and by the end of the third quarter they had a 27-point lead.
Nick was particularly good in the third quarter, clocking out early. In the past 25 games, Xiaoka has entered the 197 club, shooting 57% from the field, 50% from three-point range, and 90% from the free throw line. In addition, Xiaoka also tied the record of 0 mistakes and cut the most 30+ games this season. His consistent performance allowed the Clippers to always take the initiative in the game.
Harden also clocked out early in the fourth quarter, sitting on the bench and talking and laughing with his teammates. Not only did he contribute high points to the team, but he also contributed four blocks on the defensive end. This performance made the Clippers more comfortable in the game.
This game fully showcased the strength and teamwork of the Clippers. Despite the absence of two key players, the team was able to perform at their best in the game. This undoubtedly makes the Clippers one of the strong contenders for the championship this season.