Are Los Angeles Clippers dysfunctional?
The Los Angeles Clippers came back from a 19-point hole in the first quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 118-108 in Game 3 at American Airlines Center on Friday night. They have improved defensively, and most of their star players, particularly Marcus Morris Sr., hit clutch three-pointers late in the game to keep the game close. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the star duo, had a huge game, scoring 36 and 29 points, respectively. After failing to keep up the pressure in the first half, the Mavericks lost their first game of the season after leading after the first quarter. However, despite the recent win, are the Clippers dysfunctional? Let’s find out.
The Clippers appeared to be in severe trouble before the third game, behind 0-2 to Luka Doncic and the Mavericks, with their defense crumbling. In the first two games, the Clippers’ defense was torn apart by Luka Doncic and co. It’s been infuriating to watch the LA Clippers play poorly defensively for the straight two games. The Los Angeles Clippers were badly defeated 113-103 by the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the series last Saturday. Paul George was once again the center of attention as he struggled from the field, shooting 8-of-18 overall and 2-of-8 from beyond the arc. He finished with 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists, but he and his teammates could not stop the Mavs from scoring.
The Clippers are hitting threes comfortably, and it has been positive for them in the series, but their dismal defensive display has to stop. If the Clippers perform the way they did in the recently concluded game three, they can ease past the Mavericks in the playoff series. Not only was the Los Angeles Clippers’ defence on Doncic problematic in Game 2, but so was their defence on the Mavericks’ perimeter players. Despite a fantastic performance of 28 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, Paul George could not defend anyone. He had a team-worst plus/minus of -18 and was inactive in the fourth quarter’s final minutes.
Reggie Jackson has struggled in the series so far, and many believe Ty Lue should not start Reggie. LA Clippers is one of the biggest teams in the NBA in terms of fanbase, and they need to perform like a big team, as they did in the third game. They need someone to step up in the big games. A team like the Clippers needs someone who can get them a bucket. They need scorers upfront. They have too many passers and not someone who can score in the moments. Rondo is a great passer but can’t be relied upon for scoring. Beverly and Reggie Jackson aren’t scorers either. The Clippers desperately need someone to step up big time in terms of scoring. Kawhi Leonard stepped up in the third game and even got help from Paul George. The Clippers need this momentum to go on.
The Clippers’ squad missed the chemistry, the hustle, the effort they had in game 3. They lacked cohesiveness in the first two games, and it could have been easily observed by anyone watching them play. The players didn’t seem to be demanding from each other, and the hunger to win was absent. Ty Lue needs to demand more from his players, and a game three victory could be an excellent way to start that. This Clippers team has everything to progress to the next round, and they have players on the bench who can bring this cohesiveness to the squad. Ty Lue needs to figure this out.
Serge Ibaka is another top player who is being significantly missed. He missed the third game due to a back injury. Ibaka only played five minutes in Game 2 after playing 12 minutes in Game 1. The 31-year-old missed 30 games in a row from March 14 to May 14 this season with a back issue. Ibaka needs to play more whenever he’s fit again.
The Mavericks had everything going for them in game 3, including an early 19-point lead and a career playoff-high 44 points from Luka Doncic, yet they still lost 118-108 in front of 17,705 stunned spectators. The game was competitive for the next two quarters until the Clippers extended their lead to double digits early in the fourth. Teams with a 2-0 lead in the NBA playoffs have won 93.7 percent of their series in the past. Dallas’ odds have reduced, but they are still significantly to the Mavericks’ advantage. The Mavericks still have the benefit of playing on their home court. All the Clippers have to do now is concentrate on Game 4.
