The LA Clippers are riding a powerful wave of momentum, and with home-court advantage in their upcoming matchup, BD Cricket Match analysts believe they’re well-positioned to defeat the Trail Blazers. The team has silenced the doubters, steadily climbing the Western Conference rankings with a realistic shot at breaking into the top eight soon. Their championship ambitions this season are alive and well. This is not the same team that stumbled at the season’s start — they’ve figured out how to win.
A major factor in this transformation is head coach Tyronn Lue. With a strategic shuffle of player roles, he’s created synergy among the Clippers’ “Big Four,” allowing each star to shine in their own right. The result is a rejuvenated squad with a clear direction, giving fans every reason to believe brighter days are ahead. After a period of trial and error, Lue has finally settled on a dependable nine-man rotation — the formula behind the team’s consistent victories. When you know your worth, there’s no need to settle for less.
The current starting five includes James Harden, Terance Mann, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac. Off the bench, the key contributors are Norman Powell, Daniel Theis, Russell Westbrook, and rookie Kobe Brown. These nine players have earned Lue’s full trust — so much so that even injuries won’t shake the lineup.
Take the recent game against the Jazz. With Theis sidelined due to illness, Zubac logged a grueling 43 minutes. PJ Tucker was a natural choice to step in, yet Lue didn’t budge. Instead, he stayed committed to his chosen nine. Interestingly, rookie Kobe Brown — the 30th pick in this year’s draft — has carved out a role in the core rotation, likely due to his tenacity on defense and relentless hustle.
But with opportunity for some comes disappointment for others. When Lue cemented the rotation, a few players were left on the outside looking in. The first was Bones Hyland. Despite a strong start to the season, the crowded backcourt after Harden’s arrival pushed him out of the mix — now relegated to the bench with limited chances to contribute. The second was veteran PJ Tucker, who hasn’t seen the court in the last five games. His form has clearly dipped, and though he arrived as part of the Harden trade package, it’s unlikely he’ll feature much in the regular season unless needed in specific playoff matchups.
Aside from the finalized rotation, another critical development was balancing the dynamic between Westbrook and Harden. According to BD Cricket Match sources, Westbrook willingly stepped into a bench role to make room for Harden, fully accepting the team-first strategy. As a result, Westbrook’s playing time has dropped significantly. With Powell and Theis taking priority as the go-to options on the perimeter and interior, Westbrook now finds himself as the eighth man in the rotation.
Still, his professional attitude and willingness to sacrifice stand out. It’s this selfless mindset that has sparked real change within the Clippers. Lue, unlike some past coaches, is managing Harden’s workload with caution. Rather than overusing him during the regular season, he’s keeping him fresh — a decision reflected in Harden’s lowest average minutes in 12 years.
Years from now, they’ll look back and thank themselves for never giving up. Harden’s current efficiency is proof that Lue’s strategy is paying off. There’s no doubt — the Clippers have their sights set on a championship. As BD Cricket Match reports, whether Kawhi Leonard and Paul George remain with the team after next summer may well depend on just how far this season takes them.