The Clippers are once again trying to come back from a 2-0 series deficit, and made a good start by winning Game 3. If they can win their next game at home, the pressure will be back on the Jazz heading back to Utah. Keep reading for a full preview of Game 4 between the Clippers and the Jazz.
GAME 4 INFORMATION
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
When: 7 p.m. PST
How to Watch: TNT
How to Listen: AM 570 L.A. Sports / The Patriot AM 1150
Projected Starting Lineups:
L.A. Clippers: Reggie Jackson – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Marcus Morris Sr. – Nicolas Batum
Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell – Joe Ingles – Bojan Bogdanović – Royce O’Neale – Rudy Gobert
Injury Report:
L.A. Clippers: Serge Ibaka – OUT (Back Surgery)
Utah Jazz: Mike Conley – QUESTIONABLE (Right Hamstring Strain)
THE BIG PICTURE
“Take Note”, Utah, the Clippers aren’t dead yet.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined for 65 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a crucial 132-106 Game 3 win over the Utah Jazz Saturday. Although the Clippers still trail Utah in the Western Conference playoff semifinals 2 games to 1, the unsinkable and scrappy squad will make every effort to even the series at Staples Center Monday night.
GAME NOTES
Small Ball Success
Clippers’ head coach Tyronn Lue returned to a small starting lineup in Game 3, replacing Ivica Zubac with Nicolas Batum. Using a five-out lineup without a traditional center forced Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to defend shooters on the perimeter and allowed the Clippers room to attack the rim without worrying about the “Stifle Tower” being camped out under the basket. The strategy worked; the Clippers outscored the Jazz in the paint 44-32, snatched 10 offensive rebounds, and logged 13 second-chance points. More than that, the Jazz’s hallmark half-court defense seemed discombobulated. There were visible communication and rotation errors that allowed the Clippers to get good looks and score with ease, particularly off small-small pick and rolls. Although Utah will likely correct some of the defensive errors made on Saturday, expect the Clippers’ small-ball sets to continue to diminish Gobert’s defensive impact and create difficulty for the Jazz defenders.
Offense Must Continue to Flow
The Clippers offense showed much improvement in Game 3 after meh performances in Games 1 and 2. LA scored 132 points in 93 possessions, an impressive 141 offensive rating. The team also boasted a 56/52/82 shooting split and 21 assists on the night. Four players scored in double figures: Leonard (34), George (31), Batum (17) and Reggie “Action” Jackson (17).
In order to extend and win this semifinal series, the Clippers’ offense must perform at a high level from first tip through final buzzer. Leonard and George always find a way to get their numbers, but neither has had a truly exceptional full-game performance to date in this series.
They. Are. Both. Due.
Role players, with the exception of Jackson, have largely under-performed in the playoffs. To play at “Championship contender” level, at least two other guys besides the dynamic duo need to step up offensively with double-digit contributions. It would be great if regular season third-scoring option Marcus Morris would get hot, but he has been wildly inconsistent as of late. Senior’s field goal and three-point shooting percentages have dropped off significantly from the regular season (47.3/47.3) to the playoffs (39.4/33.3). The Clippers have many other options, as they do have a deep bench, but depth does not mean a damn thing if everyone on the roster is off at the same time.
Morris has gotten the looks, the shots just have not been falling. Game 4 may be the game to break his slump. If not, the Clippers need above-average performances from Batum, Kennard, Mann, and/or Beverley to stay in contention.
Defensive Effort
Game 3 also brought an improved defensive effort from the Clippers. LA’s defenders were over-helping and closing out well on shooters throughout the game with very few lapses in coverage. Perimeter defenders double-teamed Mitchell early on in the clock and far from the basket, making it difficult for him to turn corners and play downhill. Mitchell saw many different looks from many different bodies during Game 3, and although Spida still logged 30 points in the match-up, the Jazz’s overall efficiency was compromised. The Clippers’ intensity was such that Utah’s offense was altered. The ball was not moving as usual and they often looked immobilized and/or confused. As a result, the Jazz finished the game with more turnovers (16) than assists (15). The Clippers need a similarly elite defensive effort to take Game 4.
Jazz Injuries
Injuries may play a role in Game 4 and beyond. Jazz hot shot Mitchell re-injured his right ankle midway through the fourth quarter of Game 3, causing him to make an early exit. In post-game interviews Mitchell insisted to media that he was fine and would be ready for Game 4, but the extent to which his nagging ankle issues will impact his performance moving forward remains unknown. Remember, this is the same ankle that caused Mitchell to miss the last 15 games of the regular season and Game 1 of Utah’s first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Jazz is already without Mike Conley, who has missed all three games of this series with a hamstring strain. Conley has been upgraded to “questionable” for Game 4.
PREDICTION: LA Takes Game 4
The Clippers appear to have figured out their defense and rotations, and as mentioned throughout the preview, Game 4 should just be a chance to further straighten things out against the Jazz. So long as they get decent production from their superstars and meaningful contributions from a handful of role players, they should have no issue protecting home court and evening the series.
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GAME 4 GAME THREAD: That about does it for this preview of Game 4 between the Clippers and Jazz, but the comment section below will serve as the Game 4 game thread. Sign up for a free account and join the always insightful and sometimes snarky conversation!
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