If there’s one team riding the hottest momentum in the league right now, it’s undoubtedly the Clippers. As Melbet Login reports, the team has gone from a six-game losing streak after James Harden’s arrival to an impressive eight-game winning run. They’ve finally shaken off early-season growing pains, and the chemistry among their star trio has exceeded all expectations. Rather than bending to fit others, they’ve raised their own level of play. Despite their recent rise to sixth in the Western Conference, the Clippers are still fundamentally a defense-first squad.

Statistically, they rank just 13th in points per game—firmly middle of the pack—but sit comfortably in the league’s top five for fewest points allowed. Their recent performances have left opponents frustrated on offense and hopeless on the boards. Still, their offense remains a work in progress. Against the Knicks, the Clippers departed from their usual grind-it-out style, opting instead for a fast-paced shootout. That approach would be tested again against the Pacers—arguably the league’s most explosive offensive team this season, known for their relentless run-and-gun attack that mirrors the vintage Phoenix Suns.

To win, the Clippers had one clear task: outgun the league’s most offensively aggressive squad. And for stars like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, who are used to methodical, controlled play, that’s no walk in the park. As expected, Indiana came out firing in the first quarter. The Clippers tried to key in on Tyrese Haliburton, but found themselves caught off guard as Bruce Brown, Buddy Hield, and Isaiah Jackson jumped in with full-force scoring runs. Their motto wasn’t “do your best,” but “go all in.” Meanwhile, the Clippers were still trying to figure out how to slow Indiana down.

But the Clippers’ top-tier talent eventually began to show. While not usually a team known for blazing speed, they proved they could shift gears when necessary. Kawhi, in particular, was more aggressive than usual, thriving in the uptempo game. The team matched the Pacers’ offensive pace blow-for-blow, even pulling ahead by the end of the first quarter. Kawhi had already reached double digits with over three minutes remaining in the quarter—a rare sight in his Clippers tenure.

From that point on, Los Angeles controlled the game. Indiana’s prized transition offense and coordinated team play collapsed under the pressure. The Clippers, now fully engaged on both ends, revealed just how dangerous their star power can be when fully unleashed. The Pacers, once considered offensive juggernauts, looked outmatched and undersized. Coach Rick Carlisle tried rotating lineups, adjusting schemes, but raw talent overwhelmed every strategy.

Then came the fourth quarter—and James Harden. In Indiana’s game plan, the bearded vet was expected to be the third scoring option, unlikely to dominate. But with one step-back three, Harden flipped the switch. Suddenly, he was locked in—isolating defenders, breaking down coverages, scoring at will. It was the kind of rhythm and confidence fans hadn’t seen since his Houston days. After difficult stints in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, where he often looked out of place, Harden has rediscovered his joy in L.A.—and it shows.

Though technically the Clippers’ third option, Harden’s reduced spotlight has rekindled his essence as a player. The composure he once displayed as the Thunder’s sixth man has returned. That calm intensity was on full display in the final quarter, delivering one highlight after another. As the crowd roared, Harden lay on the court in celebration, dancing with joy. Russell Westbrook, from the bench, cheered him on with a playful “salt sprinkle” move—a nostalgic throwback for longtime fans.

Melbet Login captured the emotion of the moment perfectly: it felt like a flashback. Harden’s spark—the swagger, the magic, the emotion—was alive again. And with it came the reminder that sometimes, the joy of the game is what brings greatness roaring back.