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Clippers prepare for playoffs by resting starters in loss to Rockets

Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times on

Published in Basketball

So, what are you telling the media?

“I didn’t tell you nothing,” Lue said. “He’s not playing tonight and we’ll see.”

So, is Leonard feeling fine?

“He’s feels OK.”

The Clippers will need a healthy Leonard to beat a Dallas team with perhaps the best backcourt in the NBA in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Last year in the playoffs, when the Clippers met the Phoenix Suns, Leonard averaged 34.5 points. But he played in only two games, his time cut short because of a torn meniscus in his right knee.

 

Without Leonard, who has sat out 14 games this season, against the Rockets, the Clippers pushed forward with their available players.

Terance Mann was the only regular starter in the lineup, and he was joined by Xavier Moon, Mason Plumlee, P.J. Tucker and Amir Coffey.

“It’s been good for us to be able to clinch the No.4 spot and know who we’re playing and we don’t have to play these last two games and fight for our lives and stay out of the play-in or certain matchups to get to a certain position,” Lue said. “So, I’m just glad that we were able to clinch as early as we did. … I’m just glad we were able to kind of get some rest knowing our history. I’m happy about where we’re at.”

Having clinched the fourth spot early and knowing that their opponent would be Dallas has turned into a positive for the Clippers.

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