In need of victories and yearning to test just how good they have become in recent weeks, the Los Angeles Clippers will get a chance to accomplish both when they play host to the NBA-best Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.
The Clippers appear revived while winning six of their last seven games. That form will be tested against the Cavaliers, who just saw a 16-game winning streak come to an end with a 108-103 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
Kawhi Leonard appears to be hitting his stride for the Clippers after missing the first three months of the season due to knee discomfort. But Los Angeles knows there is more in the tank overall with leading-scorer Norman Powell now trying to get back up to speed.
Powell missed 12 of the last 13 games because of knee and hamstring injuries before he returned Sunday and played 23 minutes in a convincing 123-88 home victory over the Charlotte Hornets. He scored just seven points while going 3 of 13 from the floor but being able to exert himself for nearly half of the 48 minutes was the key.
