It’s tough to find an NBA team currently playing better basketball than the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers enter Tuesday’s clash with the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City riding an impressive run, winning eight of their last nine games — the best streak in the league over the past three weeks. The hot stretch has suddenly moved a team once expected to be headed for the NBA Draft lottery back into playoff contention.

Los Angeles is coming off its most dominant win of the run, a 126-89 blowout of Brooklyn on Sunday. Kawhi Leonard led the way with 28 points, including 21 in the first half, helping the Clippers build a commanding 38-point lead in the second quarter.

Leonard has been the key reason for Los Angeles’ turnaround after a rocky start to the season. The Clippers are 13-2 in the 15 games he has played and have won six straight with the veteran forward on the court. Leonard has appeared in 32 games and is averaging a career-high 28.1 points while shooting 49.8% from the field. He has scored at least 20 points in each of his last 24 games.

Sunday’s win over Brooklyn was Leonard’s second game back after missing three contests with a knee contusion. He returned three days earlier and scored 24 points in a 112-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

“It was good, it was basketball,” Leonard told The Athletic after the Lakers game. “Same thing. Go out there and play. When you’re out there, try to make plays, be aggressive.”

Jazz Continue Slide as Defense Collapses

Utah, meanwhile, is heading in the opposite direction as January comes to a close.

The Jazz are just 3-11 this month and have won only once in their last seven games. Defensive struggles have been a major issue, as the team has allowed opponents to score at least 123 points in each of its last 10 losses. Utah currently ranks last in the NBA with 127.8 points allowed per game.

Saturday’s 147-116 home loss to Miami was another example of Utah’s defensive issues. The Heat made 19 three-pointers, shooting 40.4% from beyond the arc, while also dominating the boards 64-34. Miami’s 26 offensive rebounds resulted in 23 second-chance points.

“Just got obliterated on the glass,” Utah coach Will Hardy told the Deseret News after the game. “You lose the glass by 30 and give up 26 offensive rebounds, there’s not really a pathway to winning in that game.”

Nurkic Shines Despite Team Struggles

Despite the team’s struggles, Jusuf Nurkic has remained a bright spot. He became the first player in franchise history to record triple-doubles in three consecutive games, finishing Saturday’s loss with 17 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Before this streak, Nurkic had only one career triple-double, which he recorded on Jan. 16, 2019, while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Season Series Split

The Jazz and Clippers have split their two previous meetings this season. Utah won the season opener 129-108 at home, while Los Angeles returned the favor with a 118-101 victory on New Year’s Day in Inglewood, California.

— Field Level Media/Reuters