Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers will return to Los Angeles for Sport 3 with a 1-1 break up in opposition to the Phoenix Suns. Regardless of coughing up a 13-point lead and shedding the sport, LA’s famous person ahead wasn’t involved with the loss.
Right here’s what the two-time NBA Finals MVP needed to say when requested by the media concerning the Clippers’ mindset:
“We’re in a great place. We break up on the highway. Gotta go house and defend our house ground.”
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The Clippers had a 23-18 file at Crypto.com Enviornment in the course of the common season. Two of these losses have been inflicted by the Phoenix Suns.
Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers stay assured that with the stakes larger, they are going to be simply advantageous in dealing with their enterprise in opposition to the Suns. Even with out Paul George, nobody in LA’s roster is fazed by what they’ve encountered in Phoenix.
Clippers coach Ty Lue shared the identical sentiment because the collection shift to Los Angeles:
“We imagine we will win the collection.”
LA might be knocking on the door for a semifinal look if they will defend their homecourt within the subsequent two video games.
Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook want their teammates to step up
After a jaw-dropping efficiency in Sport 1, Kawhi Leonard lit up the Phoenix Suns once more in Sport 2. He completed with team-highs in factors (31), rebounds (8), assists (7) and steals (3). “The Claw” made 11-20 discipline targets regardless of the fixed double groups and in addition hit 3-5 3-pointers.
Russell Westbrook ably backed him up. After a horrific 3-19 capturing within the collection opener, Westbrook went 9-16, together with 2-3 from behind the arc. He completed the evening with 28 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The previous MVP’s power, protection and hustle have been brilliant spots within the first two video games of the collection.
The remainder of the LA Clippers, nonetheless, mixed for simply 50 factors. Norman Powell and Eric Gordon struggled to persistently punish the Suns’ protection for all the eye they gave Kawhi Leonard. Bones Hyland made an influence for a couple of minutes within the third quarter however completed with simply six factors, lacking all 4 of his 3-pointers.
The LA Clippers are in a great place heading into Sport 3 after going house with a break up. Nevertheless, they may rapidly discover themselves in hassle if no different participant aside from Leonard and Westbrook steps up.
LA’s perimeter gamers should dig in and do a greater job of defending Devin Booker. “Ebook” had one other spectacular recreation, ending the evening with a game-high 38 factors and 9 assists.
Kawhi Leonard spends his time on protection, taking over Kevin Durant. With all the pieces else he does on offense, he can’t be requested to place the clamps on Booker as properly.
The Clippers can’t go toe-to-toe with the Phoenix Suns in offensive firepower. They’ll should be significantly better on the defensive finish to defend their house courtroom within the subsequent two video games.
It’s possible you’ll wish to learn: What did Kawhi Leonard say about beginning postseason with out Paul George?
