In the NBA regular season that ended today, the Clippers lost 100-121 to the Timberwolves at home, missing a winning streak and missing the No. 1 ranking in the West, falling to No. 3 in the West.
Although after the Clippers found their form, they have a 32-10 record, and at one point the Northern Expedition reached No. 1 in the West, and losing some games did not affect their progress, however, the problem is that the point at which the Clippers lost was similar.
During the 32-10 Northern Expedition, the Clippers had a very obvious weakness, that is, the interior was weak, and in the face of a strong team on the inside, the Clippers lost more and won less.
These 10 losses were 2 losses to the Timberwolves, 2 losses to the Pelicans, and 1 loss to the Lakers, Nuggets, Celtics, Thunder, Warriors, and Cavaliers.
Among them, the Timberwolves, Lakers, Nuggets, and Pelicans are all relatively strong inside, these 4 teams have won 7 games against the Clippers, and against these 4 teams, the Clippers are 3-7.
The Clippers' interior line, what can really be taken out, is Zubac, Plumlee, Theis 3, Tucker is almost useless, among these 3, Mlumlee may be better defensively, but the offensive end has almost zero contribution, Zubac and Theis offense is okay, but the interior defense is definitely not good.
In the 2021 Western Conference Finals, Ayton completed the stunner over Zubac's head.
In this case, when the opponent is very tall inside, the Clippers are very passive! The Timberwolves have Gobert and Towns, the Lakers have Anthony Davis, the Nuggets have Jokic, and the Pelicans have Valanshuinas and Zion.
In the two losses to the Timberwolves, Towns scored 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 7-of-7 two-pointers, and Gobert had 17 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 5 offensive rebounds on 6-of-10 shooting.
In the previous game, Towns scored 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting, and Gobert had 15 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks.
It has always been a well-known fact that the Clippers have a weak interior line, but the Clippers have never had a good reinforcement. In fact, in the 2021 playoffs, the Clippers reached the Western Conference finals for the first time in history, and eliminated the Jazz in the second round.
Perhaps this is the fundamental reason why the Clippers' interior line is weak but has not been strengthened, and it is also the basis for the Clippers' self-confidence.
However, the Clippers saw that series, but they didn't see the Western Conference finals that year, and one Ayton made the Clippers unable to parry inside. When the opponent is tall inside and has a certain independent offensive ability, the Clippers' five-small lineup may not work, simply put, it is Anthony Davis, Towns, Jokic, Valansiunas these 4, these 4 teams, are destined to be the biggest stumbling block for the Clippers.
Zubac, Plumlee, and Theis will definitely not be able to prevent the above four people.
And another point, these 4 people also have a certain degree of independent offensive ability, so the Clippers can't use a small lineup to create a 5-4 situation on the outside on the offensive end, and attack to offense.
At the same time, Leonard, George, Harden, and Wei Shao are not used to naming each other's interior lines, so it will be even more difficult for the Clippers.
Maybe the Clippers can add some interior players in the buyout market, just like the Lakers in 2020, using McGee and Howard in the Western Conference to limit Jokic well, otherwise, with the current situation in the West, the Clippers will definitely meet at least one team of the Timberwolves, Nuggets, Lakers, and Pelicans if they want to enter the Western Conference.
If the interior problem is amplified, the Clippers may still stop in the second round. February** Dynamic Incentive Program