The LA Clippers recently prepared to face a significant challenge. A matchup that they could view as a measuring stick, gauging their potential as a true title contender. The team was slated to face the Boston Celtics, who all season have been at the top of the NBA.
Having defeated the Miami Heat on the road just the previous Thursday, the Celtics enjoyed a day of rest before facing the Clippers. It was a crucial game for the Clippers, especially considering that the Celtics had dealt them their most significant loss of the season just the month before, a decisive 145-108 defeat just before Christmas. During that game, Boston set a season-high 25 made 3-pointers. But the rematch would go a little differently.
It was the third quarter of that game that outlined a blueprint for the Clippers, on how they can be a championship level team. The Clippers orchestrated a 21-0 run, transforming a game that wasn't particularly close into a complete blowout. This impressive feat came against a Celtics team who up to that point, had suffered only one home loss throughout the season, a loss that came against the reigning champs.
Let’s look closer at that third quarter to see how the Clippers outplayed the team with the best record in the NBA. But first, to help the channel continue to grow please like the video and subscribe. And thank you.
Now, let’s review the tape.
Paul George’s Charge
The Clippers displayed a focused approach at the start of game in Boston, securing a commanding 55-39 halftime lead. The Celtics struggled with a season-low 29.4 percent shooting from the field in the first half, missing 19 of 23 three-point attempts. The Clippers' defense limited the Celtics to just five free-throw attempts and 18 points in the paint, showcasing a meaningful defensive performance.
Jayson Tatum undoubtably serves as the offensive focal point for the Celtics. At the onset of the second half, Tatum exhibited a sense of urgency. In three of the first four possessions of the second half, Tatum successfully navigated past Kawhi Leonard on a drive-in semi-transition CLIP). He then overpowered James Harden with a strong hand drive. Then using a ball screen, he hit 3-pointer over Terance Mann. Tatum’s 3-pointer narrowed the Clippers' lead to 58-46 with 9:52 remaining in the third quarter. Putting the Celtics in a more competitive scenario.
The Clippers responded with their own two points, then the Celtics set up the floor for Tatum at the top of the key, with Derrick White cutting through. Opting to drive left on Mann to enter the paint, Tatum encountered defense from Paul George. Clippers center Mason Plumlee, stationed in the strong-side corner, covered Al Horford, while George provided rim protection.
Observe how George remained focused on Tatum, never averting his eyes and being quick in his rotation to assist Mann. He managed to beat Tatum to the spot, drawing his fourth charge of the season before Tatum could pass the ball to Jrue Holiday for a spot-up 3-point attempt. Last season, George only drew three charges in total. This kind of play from one of their leaders has proven to be a difference maker for the Clippers this season.
Contesting Threes
The Celtics lead the league in attempting off-the-dribble 3-pointers, emphasizing a potent yet straightforward offensive approach. Their strategy involves isolating players and creating open 3-point opportunities either through pull-up shots or by distributing the ball to a fully spaced floor with spot-up shooters. According to Second Spectrum data, the Celtics rank in the bottom 10 for passes per game and the bottom five for drives per game.
Despite the Celtics dominating the Clippers in their previous encounter, the Clippers demonstrated solid defensive assignments in their recent matchup. Following a foul drawn by George on Tatum, George faced Tatum again in isolation on the subsequent defensive possession. Tatum, without evading George, attempted a pull-up 3-point shot that not only missed badly but also resulted in injuring Holiday's hand on the rebound. Leonard snatched the rebound, initiating a fast break that ended with George's dunk, prompting a timeout.
The Clippers ability to make an adjust in protecting the three points made a significant difference between their two matchups this season with the Celtics. These kinds of adjustments are often what separated mere playoff teams, from champions.
Stopping the Set
It’s worth mentioning that in their first matchup of the season, when the Celtics dominated the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard was out. But Leonard's defensive awareness disrupted the Celtics' after-timeout play, showcasing his defensive prowess.
In a critical defensive play, Leonard, starting off on the ball, read the high pick-and-roll, preventing a 3-point attempt, and then forced a turnover that potentially thwarted a rim attempt. Despite momentarily trailing Horford as he drove towards the basket, Leonard's quick closeout and defensive rotation by the Clippers led to a turnover. This sequence highlights Leonard's all-around defensive contributions. His role on both sides of the ball is among the most important factors for the Clippers success.
Paint Protection
The Clippers went on to lead a huge run, compelling Boston to call a second timeout. Leonard, instrumental in the defensive effort, executed a closeout that disrupted a missed 3-point shot. Following this defensive play, Leonard executed a dunk over Kornet, contributing to the Clippers' impressive 16-point unanswered run. Notably, Boston's substitutions failed to alleviate the Clippers' dominance.
The aftermath of Leonard's dunk created unfavorable matchups for the Clippers, with Plumlee left alone on the perimeter against Tatum, and Mann isolated in the paint against Kornet. Capitalizing on the situation, Tatum exploited the height advantage, opting to feed the ball to the 7-foot-1 Kornet against the 6-5 Mann.
As Kornet prepared for a scoring attempt at the rim, Leonard, leaving his defensive assignment on Holiday, rushed to aid in the paint. By the time Kornet was set to power towards the basket, Leonard was there to block the shot and secure a rebound. Leonard concluded the Saturday game with an impressive stat line, registering two steals, two blocks, and just one personal foul, while leading all scorers with 26 points.
While the Clippers often are small on paper, their defensive sense from their forward allows them to function with smaller lineups. Rim protection also played a vital role in this matchup.
Max Effort
The eleventh consecutive scoreless possession for Boston proved to be particularly frustrating for the Celtics. Tatum, after receiving a handoff from Holiday, faced off against Leonard, attempting to drive downhill to his dominant hand. All five Clippers defenders focused on Tatum, with Harden attempting to swipe at him just before Tatum initiated his shot.
Leonard successfully blocked Tatum's initial attempt, prompting Tatum to recover the ball for a second shot that hit the backboard. Despite his momentum carrying him into a put-back attempt, Tatum also fell short on his third try. In a final effort to tip the ball over Plumlee, Tatum missed again. After Westbrook secured a defensive rebound and saved it with a pass to Leonard, Tatum was assessed for a technical foul. Leonard sealed the game-altering 21-0 run with a successful free throw, extending the Clippers' lead to 33 points with the game score at 79-46.
Both the Clippers and the Celtics struggled from beyond the arc that game, missing a combined 30 out of 40 attempted 3-pointers. Despite this performance, the Celtics usually excel from beyond the arc, at the time, leading the NBA with 40.3 percent of their points coming from three. In contrast, the Clippers derive 33.2 percent of their scoring from 3-pointers, ranking 16th in the league.
Notably, during the pivotal 21-0 run lasting 6:34, the Clippers did not attempt a single 3-pointer. Conversely, the Celtics missed all four 3-point attempts during this third-quarter stretch. Tatum accounted for half of Boston's 12 missed field goals, and the team failed to make any free throw attempts. The Clippers forced three turnovers, while the Celtics couldn't convert after securing four offensive rebounds, three of which occurred on that possession leading to Tatum's technical foul.
Since altering their starting lineup back in November, to their win against the Celtics, the Clippers boast the best record in the NBA, surpassing the Celtics' mark of 26-9. This impressive performance by the Clippers serves as a significant statement, possibly the most impactful one the team could make in a regular-season game. The Clippers look like real contenders this year, but are relying on key factors like health, effort, and leadership. DO you think the Clippers could make a post season run this year?