Game Information
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
When: 6:00 PM PT
How to Watch: ESPN
Projected Starting Lineups
LA Clippers: Reggie Jackson – Patrick Beverly – Paul George – Marcus Morris Sr. – Ivica Zubac
Phoenix Suns: Chris Paul – Devin Booker – Mikal Bridges – Jae Crowder – Deandre Ayton
Preview
Deandre Ayton’s game-winning alley-oop was a heartbreaker. Not because it sank the Clippers into a two-game hole — after all, LA has shown no fear when faced with this same predicament on two separate occasions — but because they had about 10 different chances to win what seemed like the perfect game to steal. Yet, LA still left Phoenix down 2-0.
Oh, where to start.
The Suns, a normally potent perimeter shooting team, shot 6-for-26 from deep. Devin Booker, who poured in a 40-point triple double in Game 1, struggled mightily to the tune of 5-for-16 shooting. Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder barely made an impact offensively.
Trailing early in the fourth quarter, Paul George, much like he did down the stretch in the Utah series, threw LA on his back late, successfully conducting the crunch time offense. His artful throw ahead dribble through the lane leading to a layup and textbook pull up midrange jumper looked poised to lead an ESPN highlight reel, “PG outshines Suns down the stretch.” Instead? Two crucial missed free throws and a slew of internet mockery.
Then there’s that fateful final play. Fresh into the game, a cold Boogie Cousins failed to properly position himself between Jae Crowder and the rim during the inbound and Ivica Zubac was caught off guard by an all too obvious back screen. Game.
Don’t let the pushing, shoving and shit-talk that ensued distract from the obvious, the Clippers — while still firmly in the thick of things — needed that one.
Moving on.
The Clippers are back in Staples and ready to play in front of what has become a rambunctious crowd, one that didn’t give up on their team, even when things seemed grim, twice.
But somebody else is back too: offensive maestro Chris Paul. Look, Cameron Payne played out of his mind in Game 2, but nobody can argue that Paul’s re-entrance into the Suns’ lineup doesn’t shake things up in Phoenix’s favor. Paul makes that team go, and suddenly Booker and Ayton’s lives get 30% easier again. But who knows, maybe COVID-19 will stagnate Paul’s effectiveness like some NBA stars who contracted the disease this season. I doubt it.
Things aren’t as rosy for the Clippers’ missing star. A partially torn meniscus? A hyper-extended knee? The details of Kawhi Leonard’s injury are just as hazy as his potential return date. Although his absence has hurt, the most beautiful part of the Clippers’ resurgence has been the next man up mentality. It’s an overused phrasing that seems incredibly apt for this team’s postseason run.
Ty Lue has been hard to read throughout the playoffs. At times he’s seemed adverse to adjustments. At others, it’s like he’s playing chess, contemplatively manipulating rotations while somehow getting the most out of his guys, some of whom are seemingly gaining and losing their roles at the drop of a hat. Think Mann’s strange absence from the lineup and explosive re-emergence in the Utah series, or Luke Kennard’s timely injection of three-point marksmanship during stretches.
The Clippers’ best postseason moments have come with their backs against the wall. As cliche as it sounds, they’ve simply played looser, and somehow better in those moments. Recent history could repeat itself in this series, starting in Game 3.
Without a timetable on Kawhi, look for George to continue his greatness, and hopefully shake off the final moments of Game 2. But more importantly, keep an eye on Lue’s rotational changes and the potential for what seems like the inevitable (insert Clippers role player here) game.
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