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A lot of the preseason dialogue surrounding the Clippers centered on the return of so-called Indiana Paul — the model of Paul George who thrived because the undisputed No.1 choice whereas taking part in with the Pacers to start his profession — and the way the expertise might inform how he would possibly play beneath comparable circumstances, with Kawhi Leonard recovering from harm.
With a torn elbow ligament knocking George out of the lineup for not less than three weeks, the dialog wants reframing after Monday night time’s 124-108 loss to Brooklyn: How seemingly is a return of New York Marcus?
Marcus Morris Sr. spent solely half a season with the Knicks in 2019-20, however the veteran was at his most prolific taking part in the position of their go-to scorer: a career-high 19.6 factors and 4.6 free-throw makes an attempt to go along with 43.9% three-point taking pictures.
The Clippers (17-17) envision utilizing this time with out George as a testing floor for younger gamers who in any other case would have problem discovering taking part in time — alternatives they hope will develop such gamers into strong rotation items in coming seasons, as bona fide championship pursuits resume. However the Clippers additionally wish to win now, and with out their main scorer, factors are a treasured commodity.
“We obtained to search out methods to select up this scoring and win these video games,” guard Eric Bledsoe mentioned.
Enter Morris, who returned to Crypto.com Area on Monday after lacking 4 video games due to the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols and stepped instantly right into a top-scorer accountability.
In 27 minutes, Morris completed with the type of taking pictures night time that may stand out at any level of the schedule, not to mention after lacking a number of video games. In actual fact, he had been on the court docket for conditioning work for under a few days since being cleared to return. He scored 24 factors with six assists and 5 rebounds. He made six of 13 photographs, 4 of seven three-pointers, and all eight free throws — drilling spot-up three-pointers in addition to his baseline fadeaway staple.
Coach Tyronn Lue criticized himself for taking part in Morris too many first-half minutes and seeing Morris tire, however praised his “nice burst of vitality” to open the second half.
“Being within the league 11 years with the credentials he has, guys take heed to him,” Lue mentioned. “It’s good to have him again. He’s one among our higher scorers on our staff. He’s one among our leaders.”
But it surely was the participant Morris hugged earlier than tipoff who dictated the tempo of play and made Brooklyn (23-9) seem unstoppable towards the staff holding the NBA’s fourth-best defensive ranking — even because the Nets had been with out Kevin Durant and quite a few different contributors due to the protocols. James Harden, who so hardly ever has seemed like himself this season whereas taking pictures a profession low from the sector, seemed like Houston Harden once more — 39 factors to tie a season excessive with 15 assists that led to 33 extra factors and eight rebounds.
Within the ultimate minute of the second quarter, Morris shook his head, clearly aggravated, after lacking a second consecutive shot and seeing Harden unaccounted for and leaking out for a simple transition layup. It capped a primary half through which Harden scored 22 factors and dished eight assists for 17 extra factors to tug the Nets out of an eight-point deficit earlier than main 71-55 at halftime.
Bledsoe added 15 factors and Luke Kennard 10 for the Clippers. Xavier Moon, making his NBA debut amid a lineup of reserves, made his first subject objective. Keon Johnson registered the primary two three-pointers of his profession.
Morris made his first two three-pointers of the second half, however they minimize the deficit to simply 13 every time as a result of the Clippers’ protection was repeatedly sliced open behind a scheme that sought to strain Harden past the perimeter, however in so doing left reams of open area in the midst of the court docket the place Nets teammates like DeAndre’ Bembry and Bruce Brown caught pocket passes behind the primary line of Clippers defenders and located open shooters.
And this was with out main scorer Durant, whom the Nets anticipate to be cleared from well being and security protocols in time for the Clippers’ Saturday go to to Brooklyn. The Clippers have been with out their defensive coordinator, Dan Craig, since Dec.13 due to knee surgical procedure. With a lot uncertainty round who’s and isn’t obtainable from night time to nighttime, Lue has requested his staff to give attention to what it might management — particularly, the defensive ideas that so usually have helped their short-handed roster.
“I’m fairly glad,” Lue mentioned earlier than tipoff. “I feel we obtained to get higher simply with our communication. Guys don’t speak rather a lot. We’re quiet on the court docket.”
However of the Nets’ 124 factors, 74 got here within the paint, the place Brooklyn shot 71%.
Towards the tip of the third quarter, Morris checked out for a ultimate time and talked with Lue on the scorer’s desk. His shorter-than-usual night time was over. An extended month, or extra, for the Clippers with out George could possibly be simply starting.
And so forth.
Six days after signing a 10-day contract utilizing the hardship exception, heart Moses Wright entered the protocols Monday. Wright joins guards Reggie Jackson and Jay Scrubb within the protocols.
This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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