Kawhi’s Superhuman Effort Forces Game 7 For LA! 6.4.21
It’s another day of NBA postseason action and we have Game 6 between the Clippers and Mavs.
(4) LA Clippers vs (5) Dallas Mavericks
LA Clippers (3-3)
The Clippers not choking a close game? It’s a miracle. The Clippers defense was excellent in this game and then they went to the Terminator, Mr. Weird Laugh, Mr. Kawhi Anthony Leonard who was amazing in the last 3 quarters of this game to keep LA’s season alive. Where was this last year when I picked them to win the title? Whatever, thanks LA.
The first quarter was the Reggie Jackson show. Not a typo. The Clippers kept switching screens and Luka was scoring at will but the Clippers, mainly Reggie Jackson, were able to stay in the game. But for the first time in this series, the Clippers made a defensive adjustment and it ended up winning the game.
They stopped switching the screens. As most a person would hedge out on Luka to stall him and then Kawhi or whoever would recover. They sent a few double teams that actually forced a turnover or a rushed reaction from Luka. This worked and the Clippers held Luka down.
While they did that for the rest of the game, 2019 Kawhi came alive. He had 13 in the 2nd quarter and 16 in the half as LA led at the half, their defense holding Dallas to below 40% shooting. The Clippers played maybe their best half of the series defensively and they had control.
Kawhi went off in the 3rd, 17 points on 6/9 shooting. He was making everything from the perimeter. But the Clippers still lost that 3rd quarter. LA was just 3/12 from 3 and the Dallas role players like Finney-Smith and Hardaway were hitting big shots. Dallas had 8 points off 4 turnovers and had 18 points in the paint as LA was getting bullied down low.
Despite the Kawhi antics, the Mavs led by 4 entering the 4th. But the 4th was more great defense and Kawhi’s time to shine. Dallas shot just 29% from the floor in the 4th, Luka was responsible for 5/7 field goals in the 4th as the Mavs forced other guys to make shots and they didn’t.
Kawhi was 5/5 from the field and had 12 more points in the 4th, giving him 45 for the game, 42 since the first quarter. He was amazing and he gives the Clippers another chance to win.
45 for Kawhi on 72% shooting, making him the 4th player in NBA playoff history with 45 points on 70% FG when facing elimination (Jamal Murray, Lebron James, Wilt Chamberlain). His defense was also very good. This is why they got him.
Reggie Jackson had 25 points, he was their 2nd best player. PG had 20-13-6 but he was 6/15 from the field. But I’ll give him credit, he effected the game in other ways than just scoring. If he can do that at the very least in Game 7, that’s fine, but I want him scoring. But at least he did something.
Morris was 1/10, bad game again. The bench literally did nothing scoring wise although Zubac finally gave them good minutes. He had 6 rebounds, 2 of them offensive in just 5 minutes. He’s not going to play much in this series mainly because of LA’s stupidity, but hey, he was good.
LA shot 29% from 3 and they still won. Luka shot 46% from the field, a lot worse than what he had done earlier in this series. LA was aggressive and they got 22 free throws. 13 turnovers leading to 15 Dallas points is a problem. But they have to play defensively like this in Game 7. Otherwise it’s game over. They have to make the other Mavericks make shots. Anybody but Luka.
The Clippers can still win this series, albeit with a lot more difficulty than expected, but nonetheless they can win if they play defense like this. If they do that, they can win and advance.
Dallas Mavericks (3-3)
The Mavs offense was shut down for most of the night as Luka was dormant for the first time all series. Credit to Dallas, they kept this game close without Luka going off but Kawhi was just too much as the Mavs cannot close the series out and they head back on the “road” for a do or die Game 7.
The Mavs just didn’t hit shots. It was really only Kawhi and Reggie Jackson. Luka was quiet in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Dallas might want to dabble in more Luka in the post or off-ball. Because you don’t just want to do pick and rolls for the sake of doing them if they don’t work.
Boban worked pretty well, he had a +/- of +5. His size affected things but Kawhi stopped going to the baseline and operated solely up top. I don’t get why Willie Cauley-Stein got 18 minutes, would have preferred the more mobile Dwight Powell.
The Clippers might have figured out the zone, so Carlisle can’t run it for long in Game 7 if it’s not working. They have to double Kawhi or PG more when they have things going. They have to make other Clippers make shots. I thought they did a great job forcing turnovers and getting out in transition as well as scoring down low.
Hardaway was good, Porzingis continues to play poorly (trade him). They need more role play support and maybe use Luka different. Guys have to hit open shots and they can’t led LA get 22 free throws. Dallas has dominated the Clippers on their home court, where all 3 of their wins have come. They can certainly do it again as they try and upset the Clippers again.
What Are Your Thoughts From The Game Tonight? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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