NBA Notes: Clippers, Tyronn Lue, Nets, Noah Clowney, Thunder

Clippers

The Clippers sit at 6-18 and tied for 13th in the West, but coach Tyronn Lue isn’t viewing the season as a lost cause.

As Janis Carr of The Orange County Register writes, L.A. has been competitive in several games before stumbling late, including recent losses to Memphis and Minnesota.

“We’ve really played some good basketball and had a chance to win those games,” Lue said. “When you’re not able to close and finish, that’s the frustrating part.

“But we definitely can turn it around. One big shot, one big rebound, one less turnover — do those things and you can start winning games.”

Despite the record, the Clippers are just three games out of a play-in spot.

Nets

A shift in mentality is fueling a breakout stretch for Nets forward Noah Clowney, per Bridget Reilly of The New York Post.

Clowney admitted he opened his third season “too conservative,” worried about mistakes and how he looked from the outside.

Over his last 16 games, that concern has vanished — he’s averaging 16.6 points while shooting 45% from the field and nearly 40% from three.

“I didn’t want to mess up, so it got to a point where I just stopped caring,” Clowney said. “I had to realize the only opinions that matter are my teammates and coaches. They know what I’m capable of.”

Clowney has become a full-time starter and is averaging a career-high 28.1 minutes. His increased time alongside Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton has boosted Brooklyn’s spacing, with the trio posting a +3.37 net rating in 304 minutes together.

“It’s always easier to play with Mike because of the gravity he brings,” Clowney said.

Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told Marc J. Spears of Andscape that last year’s loss in the NBA Cup final still motivates the Thunder.

Oklahoma City fell by 16 to a veteran Bucks team but used the experience as a springboard.

“It definitely helped,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Losing in general helps all the time. It showed us the formula for losing. We didn’t give what the game required.

“Before the schemes, before the scouting report, before the shots going in or not, you’ve got to bring a certain level of intensity, focus and fight if you want a chance to win.”