One month after James Harden moved into second place on the all-time 3-point shooting list, the scene will look familiar when the Los Angeles Clippers host the Utah Jazz on Monday in Inglewood, Calif.
When the Clippers earned a 116-105 home victory over the Jazz in mid-November, Harden made two 3-pointers that moved him past Ray Allen on the all-time list, placing him second behind only Stephen Curry.
Harden finished that game with 2,975 made 3-pointers, and since then, he has made 35 more, shooting 37.2 percent from distance over his past 11 games. This is above his season average of 33.8 percent and even better than his career mark of 36.3 percent.
Harden, averaging 21.4 points per game, has taken on a significant load this season as the Clippers play without Kawhi Leonard (knee). Norman Powell has also stepped up, leading the team in scoring at 23.2 points per game.
While Leonard is not expected to play on Monday, he has returned to practice and should be on the court soon after completing contact work with his teammates.
Harden and Powell might find more opportunities as the team looks to improve their respectable 14-12 record without their star. This assistance will be welcomed, as the Clippers are currently on a three-game losing streak, matching a season-high after a 120-98 loss at Denver on Friday.
The Jazz aren’t bringing a strong defensive unit into Monday’s game, having lost three of their past four games and allowing an average of 136.0 points per game in those defeats. In their sole victory, they allowed just 99 points.
During Friday’s 134-126 home defeat to the Phoenix Suns, Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points for the Jazz, while John Collins added 22. Clarkson returned after missing seven games with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Utah lost despite shooting 55.8 percent from the floor, making 22 of 39 shots (56.4 percent) from 3-point range. Lauri Markkanen added 19 points. The Suns shot 52.8 percent overall and 48.9 percent from distance while committing eight turnovers to 15 for the Jazz.
The Jazz rank 28th in the NBA by allowing 119.3 points per game. The Clippers rank fifth, allowing 107.8 points. However, Utah is third-best in the league in allowing 41.5 rebounds per game, just ahead of the Clippers at 41.8.
