Though the Los Angeles Clippers bowed down to the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, they shouldn't feel bad about themselves. It was a close game all throughout and was very much winnable up to the very end. And looking at the statistics and the game clips, there are obvious tweaks the Clippers coaching staff have to do to bounce back.
Of course, having Kawhi Leonard would greatly help. But up to now, the two-time champion's status remains a mystery. As such, the Clippers should focus on the pieces available and how they can utilize them fully. The Suns are tough. But Game 1 proved the Clippers can stand toe-to-toe with them.
Contain Devin Booker
The most obvious adjustment the Clippers should make should revolve around containing Devin Booker. The man had 40 points on 15-of-29 shooting. For most of his baskets, Terance Mann was guarding him. He is a good defender but he's not Paul George. The Suns did a great job at forcing Mann to switch to Booker. But George and the Clippers shouldn't just allow it to happen. Rather, George should be fighting thru screens. He should be the one to defend Booker as much as possible.
Ty Lue was able to make the proper adjustments in the fourth quarter by sending out early double teams. It forced Booker to get rid of the ball—which is probably the best situation the Clippers could ask for. However, the Clippers left other Suns players wide open from deep or along the cutting lanes. And it's pretty clear by now that the Suns didn't just get to the Western Conference Finals thru the efforts of Chris Paul or Booker. They're a solid team with a decent set of role players who'll answer every call.
Points in the Paint
The Clippers aren't the best interior scoring team in the NBA Playoffs. They average just a mere 38.7 points, which ranks last among the remaining teams in the postseason. In Game 1, they scored just 34 as opposed to the Suns' 54 points. It's a complete failure on their part to abuse one of the Suns' weaknesses. The Suns allow 44.2 points in the paint per game in the NBA Playoffs, which is second to the last among active teams.
The insertion of DeMarcus Cousins seems to have been the ultimate secret weapon that Lue unleashed. In just 13 minutes of action, Cousins had 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting from the field. Cousins did damage early on and no one could stop him. However, as per usual, Cousins picked up quick fouls—five to be exact—and had to be relegated to the bench. Of course, there are still lingering questions regarding Cousins' production and if he can remain consistent for the rest of the series. Be as it may, Lue should feel good that Cousins was able to make the Suns sweat during his 13 minutes of action.
Defense in the Paint
As noted, the Suns dropped 54 points in the paint. This was very uncharacteristic of the Clippers' interior defense. In the NBA Playoffs so far, they allow just 38.9 points in the paint per game, which ranks second behind the Milwaukee Bucks. This pretty much reveals that the Clippers have it in them. So the adjustment needed for Game 2 and the rest of the series is to just remind themselves that they have the tools and skills to prevent teams from scoring in the paint.
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