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James Harden of the LA Clippers scoops in a floater over the Warriors' Kevon Looney and Brandin Podziemski. Photo by Katareena Roska of Tangent Zine.
What makes a Clipper fan?
It’s a good question, with a hard answer. The West Coast is blessed when it comes to sports because Los Angeles loves to win—more than anything. The Lakers have come home with 17 championships, and just recently the Dodgers with eight World Series titles. Even in a country where football rules over fútbol, the LA Galaxy have won the MLS Cup a total of six times.
If I’m being blunt, the Clippers don't have that.
James Harden of the LA Clippers struggles to maintain his balance as Buddy Hield of the Golden State Warriors defends. Photo by Katareena Roska of Tangent Zine.
So, what is it about the Clippers that keeps people attached? Is it Kawhi Leonard? The cool game freebies? The nostalgia of Lob City? Or is it the fancy new Intuit Dome complete with facial recognition technology?
Norman Powell of the LA Clippers goes for a layup against the Warriors' Kyle Anderson and Lindy Waters III (43). Photo by Katareena Roska of Tangent Zine.
If you really pay attention, it’s nothing to do with their game statistics or their facilities. What makes a Clippers fan, really, is their faith in the underdog. Granted, sometimes that doesn’t always pay off.
But tonight, that hope was rewarded.
Norman Powell tries to get past the Warriors' Moses Moody. Photo by Katareena Roska of Tangent Zine.
Facing the struggling Golden State Warriors, who were without the cornerstone of their four NBA championships, Steph Curry (injury management bilateral knees) and Draymond Green (lower back contusion) the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the dubs for the third straight time this season, 102-92.
Norman Powell scored 11 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to stop a late comeback by the Warriors. Center Ivica Zubac recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds and made a crucial block against Jonathan Kuminga in the final moments of the fourth quarter.
Jonathan Kuminga achieved a career-best performance for the dubs, scoring 34 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and providing five assists, despite the defeat. After starting the season with a 12-3 record, the Warriors have lost 12 of their last 15 games and currently sit in eleventh place in the Western Conference standings.
The win puts the Clippers fifth in the Western Conference and will embark on a three-game road trip starting on Monday, December 30 in New Orleans.
Following impressive victories over Memphis on the road and Golden State at home, will the underdog Clippers maintain their momentum going as they await Kawhi Leonard's return?
Hang tight.
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