Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. We are now in the Conference Finals!
The Clippers have been surviving all postseason long
(PHOTO CREDIT: Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today.)
The Phoenix Suns had every reason to feel they could put away the Los Angeles Clippers on Game 3. Chris Paul was back in the line-up after missing the first two games due to safety measures (I’m trying to use a different term here) from COVID.
But the Clippers did what they have been doing in these playoffs: survive.
After a close first half, the Clippers separated themselves from the third quarter and won going away in Game 3 to cut the series deficit to 2-1. There are a few reasons for this.
Paul George, whose narrative was that he doesn’t come through for the playoffs, shook Game 2 off after missing a couple of clutch free throws by doing everything. 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists. You’ll see the shot later in this wonderful post but his third quarter buzzerbeater was a backbreaker.
This also seems like something to take notice but he seems to do better as the #1 option instead of being a second banana like he was in Oklahoma City with Russell Westbrook and then in this team with Kawhi Leonard. Leonard hasn’t played since Game 4 of the Utah series but yet here is George thriving since then.
Terance Mann didn’t score a lot of points (12, in fact) but he helped turn it around on the third quarter as well. He scored 8 points quickly in the early stages of that period. It gave the Clippers the lead for good and his energy on both ends of the floor set the tone for the second half. Whatta Mann, indeed.
Their defensive intensity certainly made a huge impact. Patrick Beverley was a pest all game against Devin Booker (who also had to be affected by wearing a mask to help protect his broken nose; Booker only scored 15 off 5 for 21 shooting). Chris Paul also went 5 for 19; a bit of it is rust and a bit of it is the Clipper defense. The Suns didn’t have anyone that had a breakout game; even Ivica Zubac did a great job trying to match Deandre Ayton.
It’s also too bad Cameron Payne was lost to an ankle injury. It was pretty clear the Suns missed him as he is their change-of-pace guard that can throw off defenses. He did score 29 in Game 2 and his extra offense was missed in Game 3.
Still, I think it’s impressive how the Clippers bounced back. It shouldn’t be that surprising, either. Tyronn Lue should get a lot of credit for making adjustments and keeping his team focused, even when they’re in rough spots like being down 2-0 in a series. And it’s also even more impressive that they’re staying in the series without Kawhi Leonard. They already have a built-in excuse if they lose but yet, here they are, fighting for an NBA Finals berth.
At the very least, I am very happy to see fresh blood in the conference finals. And these two teams fighting it out in the West deserve every bit of praise they get.
Bullet Passes
Well, the Dallas Mavericks quickly filled in their front office and head coaching positions with Nico Harrison and Jason Kidd.
Harrison worked in Nike for nearly the last 20 years. He helped rehab Kobe Bryant‘s image after his incident in 2003 and has a strong relationship with Luka Doncic. It’s not unusual these days to see people make the jump to the front office position; Rob Pelinka and Leon Rose were sports agents before becoming general managers for the Lakers and Knicks, respectively. With Harrison’s strong relationships with players, the Mavericks hope he can replicate their success.
As far as Kidd? Ooh, boy.
If we’re going by head coaching alone, it’s… not great. After one season in Brooklyn, he tried to stage a coup of the front office, which failed. He then coached the Milwaukee Bucks for more than three seasons. Kidd guided the Bucks to the postseason twice but were never truly unlocked until Mike Budenholzer got there in 2018.
As far as everything else? Here’s a list. Not the most flattering, especially since the Mavericks have had a history of an awful work environment.
So yeah. It’s rough to be a Mavericks fan at the moment. Unless all you care about is wins and losses. Then in that case, you’re just turning a blind eye to what’s happening.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
June 24, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
EAST
#5 Hawks lead #3 Bucks, 1-0.
#5 Hawks defeat #1 Sixers, 4-3.
#3 Bucks defeat #2 Nets, 4-3.
#1 Sixers defeat #8 Wizards, 4-1.
#5 Hawks defeat #4 Knicks, 4-1.
#2 Nets defeat #7 Celtics, 4-1.
#3 Bucks defeat #6 Heat, 4-0.
WEST
#2 Suns lead #4 Clippers, 2-1.
#4 Clippers defeat #1 Jazz, 4-2.
#2 Suns defeat #3 Nuggets, 4-0.
#1 Jazz defeat #8 Grizzlies, 4-1.
#4 Clippers defeat #5 Mavericks, 4-3.
#2 Suns defeat #7 Lakers, 4-2.
#3 Nuggets defeat #6 Blazers, 4-2.
Watch This Play
Here’s the shot that Paul George made to beat the buzz in the third.
PAUL GEORGE FROM HALFCOURT TO BEAT THE 3Q BUZZER 🚨
(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/hFoqP6ytfq
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 25, 2021
He also blew some kisses after the shot a la Ron Artest in the 2010 NBA Finals. Might want to hold off on those sort of things, George; that’s how you’ve been getting in trouble for most of your career.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.