Three reasons the LA Clippers have turned into the NBA’s most dangerous team

Clippers have a well-rounded roster

Kawhi Leonard, if he’s healthy, is still one of the very best players in the league. James Harden has broken his All-Star game drought, but beyond their stars, the Clippers have a very well-rounded lineup.

Norman Powell is taking over for the offensive gap left by George, and is being used in dribble handoffs more than ever throughout his career. He is having by far the best season of his career, and is a legitimate third option on a team with sneaky title hopes.

Powell isn’t the only player who has improved. Ivica Zubac is averaging career highs in both points and rebounds, and is quietly one of the top centers in the NBA. Among true centers, Nikola Jokic is clearly in a league of his own, but Zubac is right there next to Karl-Anthony Towns, Domantas Sabonis, and even Anthony Davis.

Finally, Kris Dunn has found a perfect role. With Zubac, Powell, Harden, and Leonard all able to score with volume, Dunn can focus on defense and facilitating. He is averaging 1.7 steals and 2.8 assists, and in the recent win streak has upped his 33.0% mark from deep to 52.6% on similar volume. While that’s not sustainable, he is getting hot at just the right time.

Advanced stats back Los Angeles

In the last six games, the Clippers have beaten the Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks (twice), San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets. With the exception of Houston, all of those teams will make the Play-In or miss the postseason outright, but it doesn’t matter.

The Clippers have dominated. Only their win over the Magic was settled by under ten points. Over the last six games, LA ranks second in defense and third in offense, being the only team in the top five in both categories.

On top of that, their true shooting percentage of 62% is second in that span only against the Milwaukee Bucks.

This season, the Clippers’ main scorers all understand their roles perfectly. Leonard is an on-ball creator and shooter, Powell is the spot up guy, Harden is the creator, and Zubac is one of the best interior scorers in the league. No one is being asked to do anything beyond their capabilities, which is why the Clippers are one of the very most efficient teams in the league.

On the season, they are seventh in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage. They take smart shots, which has caused them to make them.

Other Western Conference teams have slipped

Of course, there are external factors at play. The Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies, who hold the fourth and sixth seeds right now, recently fired their coaches and are expected to slide either before or in the postseason.

The Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves have been inconsistent all season, so any team below the Clippers is not a major concern. On top of that, between Leonard, Dunn, and Zubac, the Clippers can make life tough on the defensive end of the floor for the teams above them in the standings.

The Clippers have answers for Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Granted, Austin Reaves is capable of a big night, but neutralizing two of the bigger threats is a major victory.

Only the Oklahoma City Thunder present a massive problem for the Clippers on paper, although fans know better: believe it when you see it. Until the Clippers go on a run, it could just be more false hope.