In today's NBA regular season, the Clippers defeated the Pistons 112-106, once again proving their tenacity and strength. Although the team's core Harden did not perform well in this game, his presence still had a profound impact on the outcome of the game.
Harden played 36 minutes in this game, shooting 4-of-11 from the field, 2-of-8 from three-point range, and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, with only 14 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. This performance is clearly a drop from his past performances. However, despite Harden's poor shooting percentage, his presence has played a key role in both the Clippers' offense and defense.
First of all, Harden's eight assists are a testament to his playmaking skills as the heart of the team. When he's on the pitch, he's able to pinpoint the openings of his teammates and create good attacking opportunities for them. His passing vision and awareness make the Clippers' offense more fluid and orderly.
Second, Harden also played his worth on the defensive end. His height and strength allowed him to take on the Pistons' interior players and effectively protect the Clippers' basket. At the same time, he is also very good at helping and making up for the defense, and is able to save the team's defensive holes when it matters most.
Even though Harden didn't perform well in this game, he still had a plus/minus of +7, which is enough to say about his impact on the court. His presence allows the Clippers to remain calm and steady in critical moments and play at the level they deserve.
Of course, Harden also needs to reflect and summarize his performance. He needs to adjust his shooting and improve his shooting percentage to better contribute to the team. At the same time, he also needs to control the number of his mistakes, reduce unnecessary mistakes, and improve the winning rate of the game.
Although Harden didn't play well in this game, he was still a key figure in the Clippers' comeback against the Pistons. His leadership and influence have allowed the team to remain calm and consistent in key moments and perform at the level they deserve.