All the excitement surrounding the Los Angeles Clippers new home arena the INTUIT dome in Inglewood, CA has buzzed every time fans enter the building. But the fans, and this organization, will have to wait until tonight to try and get their first regular season win in their building.
They are 2-2, with both losses coming at home after holding leads in the 4th quarter in each.
Opening night vs Phoenix they were up nine (99-90) with just under four minutes left, but were taken to overtime and fell 116-113. And last night vs a Portland team that not many expected much from before the season began, the Clippers could not hold off after being up eight in the 4th.
But not all is bad for the Los Angeles Clippers because they traveled to Denver and Golden State over this past weekend for a back-to-back and came away with victories.
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How Can Los Angeles Clippers Seal A Home Victory At Intuit Dome
Part of the difference might be the impact big man Ivica Zubac has on the road as opposed to playing at home. He is averaging 13.5 ppg and 10.5 reb at home, while 23.5 ppg and 16.5 reb on the road.
Coach Ty Lue said after the 106-105 loss to Portland, “It’s on us just doing a better job trying to get Zu the ball.”
Most of the responsibility falls on lead guard James Harden, who has had a double-double in all four games this season, to do just that.
He has a lot of responsibility because superstar Kawhi Leonard is out moving forward with a knee injury.
“We just didn’t capitalize and we didn’t close,” said Harden, who had 19 points and 10 assists, after the loss to Portland.
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Turnovers have had a lot to do for LA in both losses and a turnover on their final possession cost them the game at the end.
They have 36 turnovers in both losses at home. Coach Ty Lue has preached taking care of the ball, and his team has to do a better job in that category because currently, they are 28th in the league (17 TO/gm) just ahead of Toronto and San Antonio, two teams with losing records.
The Los Angeles Clippers will have four straight opportunities, starting tonight on the second night of a back-to-back to get their first win at home, against a Phoenix Suns team they saw a week ago.
Chrys Henderson is a writer for LAFB. You can follow him on X @ChrysNBA.