Since a 4-0 start, the Clippers are just 3-8 in their last 11 games. LA is under .500 after Wednesday’s loss to the Jazz, begging the question, ‘Can whatever is wrong be fixed?’
These are the steps that would be imperative to fixing the team.
1 – Lineup analysis
The Clippers have used 19 different 5-man combinations that have played 10+ minutes together.
Of these 19 combinations, the one that stands out is Austin Rivers, Jamal Crawford, Wesley Johnson, Josh Smith and DeAndre Jordan.
This is the Clippers best defensive lineup of the 19, allowing just 76.6 points per 100 possessions. This also happens to be LA’s best offensive lineup. The Clippers have a ridiculous +59.1 net rating when this group has played together. This lineup has outscored its opponents 50-32, for a +18 advantage, in only 20 minutes on the court.
The Clippers like this lineup, but not as much as playing a true second unit together. LA will swap out DeAndre Jordan for Paul Pierce, creating a new lineup that goes from a dominating +59.1 net rating to a -17.3 net rating. That lineup is used more than twice as often, and is the second-most used lineup for the Clippers all season! This is regardless of the fact that LA’s -25 plus/minus with that group is it’s worst for any lineup combination.
2 – Make more free throws
The Clippers draw fouls at a rate that is the second-highest in the NBA. However, the inconsistency from game to game is very apparent.
The Clippers need to make free throws to win games. When they make 20 free throws or more, LA is 7-1. When they make 19 or less, LA is 0-7.
3 – Rebounding
The Clippers have played 15 games and have been outrebounded in 13 of those games, including all 8 losses. In the games they weren’t outrebounded, they tied their opponent.
The Clippers have not outrebounded a single opponent this season.
The team’s -5.3 rebound margin per game is 29th in the NBA. It’s offensive rebound percentage is 23rd, defensive rebound percentage is 28th and overall rebound percentage is 29th (Bucks).
Peter Newmann is an analyst and writer who spent 10 years at ESPN, 8 as the NBA senior researcher working 24/7 on the league. He wrote game notes for crews, articles for ESPN.com, analysis for studio shows, and regularly assisted reporters and writers. Follow him on Twitter, and check out his Web site, www.peternewmann.com.