Has the LA Clippers found its confidence?
After losing their first two games on their home floor, it was easy to see why many were already giving up on the LA Clippers‘ chances in their first-round NBA playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks.
However, with as talented as the Clippers are, it would be strange for them to bow out that easy. In Game 3, with their backs against the wall on the road, the team answered the call and began to climb themselves back into the series.
Heading into Sunday’s Game 4, the Mavericks still hold a 2-1 series lead over the Clippers. But, at the very least, LA showed some life. And proved that they are willing to fight.
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Can the LA Clippers carry that over into Game 4?
In Game 3, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard came up big for LA. The duo combined for 65 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists on 69 percent shooting from the field and 45 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Kawhi and George were active, aggressive, and overwhelming. Their offensive explosion was too much for Luka Doncic to overcome alone, even though he did finish with 44 points on the night. Defensively, the Clippers did a much better job in defending Tim Hardaway Jr., who had torched the team during the first two games of this season.
That played a big role in LA’s success in Game 3 and will be key moving forward. If the Clippers can keep any other player not named Luka from having a big night, it seems like they’ll be in a position to win. Just as we saw in Game 3.
After a lackluster first quarter, the Clippers controlled and commanded the final three frames. They, once again, looked like the championship contender that many expect them to be. And at least for one game, they were able to channel that again.
The big question after Game 3 is whether or not the Clippers will be able to carry this momentum into Game 4. Winning one game on the road is fine and good, but should they lose Game 4, there’s not really much that was gained.
The Clippers would still be down 3-1 in the series and in an unlikely spot to win. Can LA beat Luka three straight times? Absolutely it’s possible, especially with the talent that is on the Clippers. Is it something they should want to test? Absolutely not.
LA showed some great signs in their Game 3 win. They looked a little more like their regular-season selves and proved that they do have the ability to play at a high level against the Mavericks.
Can the Clippers carry that confidence into Game 4 and make this a series heading back to Los Angeles? That onus falls on Kawhi and PG. They need to replicate what they were able to do on both sides of the ball in Game 3.