All eyes will be on the short-handed LA Clippers Tuesday night as they face elimination at Footprint Center. Ahead of their battle with the Phoenix Suns, let's make some Clippers bold predictions for Game 5.
While the Clippers are down 3-1, they have acquitted themselves well in the first round. Paul George has been out for the whole series, while Kawhi Leonard has missed the last two games and seems unlikely to return. Russell Westbrook and LA's supporting cast has stepped up in their absence, making Phoenix work for back-to-back victories in Games 3 and 4 despite an overwhelming talent disadvantage. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton are an elite core of stars, but their lack of cohesion and continuity has been apparent in the playoffs so far.
The Clippers won Game 1 behind a great performance from Leonard. Leonard is an elite two-way star, but his injury to his right knee has held him out since Game 2. Westbrook and Norman Powell have led in the absence of the Clippers' stars.
However, with a 3-1 deficit and Game 5 in Phoenix, it will be difficult for LA to come back in this series. With that said, let's move on to our Clippers' Game 5 predictions against the Suns.
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3. Norman Powell scores 25 points for LA
Norman Powell is a scorer who has stepped up with the star duo of George and Leonard sidelined. Powell mostly operated as the sixth man for the Clippers during the regular season, but has stepped into the starting lineup in Leonard's absence.
In Game 3, Powell finished with 42 points while shooting 15-of-23 from the field and 7-of-12 from three. He is a good scorer and can create offense for himself. With Leonard out, Los Angeles needs its role players to thrive once again. Powell did just that and more in Game 3, and the Clippers will need him to do so again on Tuesday night.
2. Russell Westbrook drops 30-plus
Russell Westbrook has been easily the Clippers' best player without Leonard and George.
Many have criticized Westbrook over the past few years as he did not fit well with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, he has performed much better with the Clippers and has had a phenomenal playoff run so far. In Game 1, he made the winning play by blocking Booker's shot and throwing it off of him before going out of bounds.
In Game 3, Westbrook had 30 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists, three steals and a block. He shot 11-of-23 from the field and 3-of-7 from behind the arc. In Game 4, Westbrook put together another standout performance, with 37 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block.
If LA is have any chance of staying alive without Leonard and George, he must play like a superstar yet again.
1. Clippers lose, get eliminated from playoffs
While the Clippers have been resilient and put up a fight without their two best players, the Suns simply have too much for them. Phoenix's stars are starting to play better together, and in a close-out game at home, the Suns should come away with the victory.
Durant and Booker are both clutch players, and the Clippers don't have their stars to combat them. Westbrook has had back-to-back big games, but it has not been enough to defeat the Suns. With Phoenix at home, LA will have a very difficult time extending the series.
It has been another tough season for the Clippers. They signed Leonard and traded for George in the 2019 offseason with the hopes of winning a title. This is now another season where they have suffered injuries and are unable to make a deep playoff run. Westbrook and the role players will have to play exceptionally well in Game 5 if they have any chance of extending the series.
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