Leonard declares Clippers ready for anyone as playoff race tightens
leonard-declares-clippers-ready-for-anyone-as-playoff-race-tightens
LOS ANGELES — With nine regular-season games remaining, the Los Angeles Clippers occupy the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. Forward Kawhi Leonard insists the club is unfazed by potential playoff matchups.
“This group likes to play basketball,” Leonard said, according to The Athletic. “They love to have fun out there and compete, and we’re not scared of nobody. Even if they’re more talented or the record’s better, we still want to go out and compete and have pride in playing.”
Recent surge boosts confidence
Through Thursday, the Clippers had won three straight contests and posted a 6-4 record over their last 10 outings. The uptick has come at an opportune moment as the postseason approaches.
Efficiency numbers point to potential
Los Angeles is shooting 48.6 percent from the field and owns a 57.5 percent effective field-goal rate, both near the top of the NBA. The offense sits in the league’s middle tier overall, while the defense is allowing 112.5 points per game — a solid mark that suggests the team can contend on both ends.
Youth movement contributes
Leonard credited younger teammates for helping fuel the late-season push. “It’s a lot of young guys stepping up,” he said. “You just got to tell them to enjoy the moment, keep one foot in front of the other, and just play and have fun.”
The Clippers remain in a crowded Western Conference field, but their recent form and stated fearlessness have positioned them as a potentially dangerous opponent when the playoffs begin.
Source: Hoops Wire
