Looking to take advantage of a golden opportunity to bolster their play-in tournament status, the Los Angeles Clippers begin a two-game Eastern Conference road trip on Friday against the fading Indiana Pacers at Indianapolis.
Los Angeles (37-36) was all but written off in late December after beginning the season 6-21. The woeful start is a distant memory now as the Clippers hold a half-game lead over the Portland Trail Blazers for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference.
The Clippers have won three straight games to distance themselves from a four-game losing streak as they enter road meetings against Indiana (16-57) and the Milwaukee Bucks (29-43).
“When you can get a team that started 6-21 back to .500 and understand what it takes to have that heart and tenacity every single night to come out and fight and win, it’s a really good feeling,” Los Angeles head coach Tyronn Lue said. “That’s the joy I get in this.”
With nine games remaining, Los Angeles is also nearly at full strength. Trade-deadline acquisition Bennedict Mathurin returned in the Clippers’ 119-94 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday after missing four games with a toe infection.
The dependable trio of Kawhi Leonard (28.3 points per game), Darius Garland (21.1 points in 11 games since being traded at the deadline) and Mathurin (20.1 points in 17 contests) have the gritty Clippers peaking at the right time.
Mathurin, a key member of Indiana’s Eastern Conference winning season a year ago, expects a warm welcome back after he was swapped in a deal that sent Ivica Zubac to the Pacers. Los Angeles also acquired Isaiah Jackson and two first-round draft picks in the deal.
“The fans love me and I love the fans over there,” Mathurin said. “They meant everything to me. It’s going to be a lot of love. At the end of the day, Indiana drafted me. It’s still my second home to this day.”
Mathurin is averaging a career-high 18.6 points and 5.6 rebounds across both stops this season. The Clippers breezed past the Pacers 130-107 at home on March 4, thanks to Leonard’s 29 points and Mathurin’s 23.
After nearly winning a title last season, Indiana is closing in on the No. 1 selection of this year’s NBA Draft. The Pacers own the league’s worst record and are on pace to finish with their most losses in franchise history.
Indiana has dropped 17 of its last 18 games, earning a 128-126 victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday and showing life in its 137-130 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
The Pacers shot 55.8% from the field against the Lakers and drilled 16 3-pointers, but the team’s dreadful defense continued. Indiana allowed at least 126 points for the sixth straight game.
“For the most part, we’ve moved the ball pretty well and we’ve shot it better. But it’s nothing to pat yourself on the back about when you’re giving up this many points,” Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle said. “Together, we’ve got to be a defensive team.”
In a season ravaged by injuries, Indiana has deployed 27 players, 22 of which have started a game. Pascal Siakam has been a constant amid the turmoil, averaging 23.9 points and 6.6 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard adds career-highs of 17.1 points and 7.6 assists.
