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Los Angeles Clippers: 3 bold predictions for 2018-19 NBA season

By Simon Smith

PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Tobias Harris #34, head coach Doc Rivers and Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers poses for photos during media day at the Los Angeles Clippers Training Center on September 24, 2018 in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Tobias Harris #34, head coach Doc Rivers and Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers poses for photos during media day at the Los Angeles Clippers Training Center on September 24, 2018 in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Tobias Harris averages 21 points per game

Last season, 24 players throughout the league averaged at least 21 points per game. For his part, forward Tobias Harris averaged a career high 18.6 points per game in his 80 appearances. However, it was after arriving in Los Angeles as part of the Blake Griffin deal that Harris’ scoring output went up a notch.

In his 32 games with the Clippers, the 6’9″ Harris averaged 19.3 points per game while returning the excellent .473/.414/.800 shooting splits. In his seventh season in the league, Harris clearly took a liking to the Clippers’ faster paced offense. Whereas his previous team, the Detroit Pistons, ranked 19th in offensive rating and 21st in pace, the Clippers ranked eighth and seventh in these two departments, respectively.

Harris’ rapid acclimation with the Clippers’ system was highly impressive, and only serves as a preview for bigger things to come in 2018-19. Such was Harris’ dramatic impact, that shortly after his arrival, head coach Doc Rivers noted:

Last season, Harris scored 21 points or more on 30 occasions, surpassing his previous best of 21 games with at least 21 points. Notably, Harris hit this mark in 15 of his 32 games with the Clippers, the most efficient being a 10-of-15 shooting performance for 30 points and 12 rebounds against the Phoenix Suns.

So with a full offseason to prepare with his teammates and coaching staff, there’s every chance the 26-year-old Harris can raise his game to yet another level and enter the true upper echelon of scorers in the league.

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