The NBA regular season is in full swing, and the Los Angeles Lakers continue to play away from home in the East, and their next opponent is the Cleveland Cavaliers. After consecutive victories over the Raptors and Celtics, the Lakers ushered in a seven-game road challenge, and fans are full of confidence at this moment. The originally envisioned record of 5 wins and 2 losses has a better possibility of winning all 7 matches. The Cleveland Cavaliers are a strong team with 9 wins and 1 loss in their last 10 games, ranking 5th in the East. The Thunder, who are ranked first in the West, and the Timberwolves, who are second in the West, will face off in the next game, while the Clippers only need a win to move up to second place in the West.
This game has a good chance for the Clippers, first of all, because the Cavaliers' Garland is sure to be unavailable, and the status of Mitchell and Mobley will not be determined until before the game. The Clippers' five-man lineup showed unexpected efficiency against a team with a big center. A win would put the Clippers in second place in the West, and Ballmer solves the biggest problem of winning the championship.
Although some people think that in the West there is a lot of competition, it doesn't make much difference that the Clippers are in 2nd or 5th place in the West. At this stage, the Clippers' roster has almost no obvious shortcomings. The strength and chemistry of the Big Three of Harden, George, and Leonard are unique in the league. Both offensive and defensive strength are among the best, which is the basis for winning the championship. On the inside, the combination of Zubac, Plumlee, and Theis is not inferior to most teams in the league in terms of strength. Tyronn Lue's clever use of five small tactics forced opponents to be unable to use a big center.
The only potential hidden danger to winning the title may be the health of the core players. Ballmer solved the problem by bringing in Harden, taking the pressure off George and Kawhi Leonard and reducing their playing time and regular season appearances. This adjustment lays the foundation for keeping two key players healthy.
The performance of head coach Tyronn Lue is also one of the keys to the Clippers' few shortcomings. Across the league, Lu ranks in the top five for his top-notch coaching. Winning the championship requires not only the performance of the stars, but also the excellent tactical system and the ability to adapt on the spot. And Lu just has these qualifications. Now that the Clippers have everything they need to win a championship, the next thing they need is to continue to accumulate game experience, strengthen the chemistry between the players, and work tirelessly to compete for a championship. The Clippers' players have shown great strength and teamwork in past games, beating many tough opponents. In the upcoming games, they will need to continue their form and consolidate the team's second position in the West. This is also the reason why fans have high hopes for the Clippers.
For the Clippers, it is true that the 2nd or 5th place in the West does not determine the success or failure of the playoffs to some extent. In today's competitive NBA, every small advantage can make a difference in the playoffs. Being able to rise to No. 2 in the West in the regular season is a process of building confidence and consolidating strength for the Clippers.
Ballmer's decision also proved to be wise, and by bringing in Harden, he successfully solved the biggest problem of the team's championship, which was the health of the core players. This makes the team more competitive heading into the playoffs, while also providing more hair for the younger players.